HB 771: Revise university system laws to remove barriers to freshmen living off campus - Montana

HB0771 Legal Review Note.pdf → HB0771_1(2).pdf · 4 edits

MODERATE

The document was converted from a legal review note to the official text of House Bill 771. The bill mandates that Montana universities cannot require freshmen to live on campus if they reside with an immediate family member within a one-hour drive of the campus. It also sets a strict two-day deadline for universities to approve or deny off-campus housing requests.

Scope change

The bill applies to all units of the Montana University System, restricting their ability to enforce on-campus housing mandates under specific family circumstances.

REQUIREMENT

Prohibits universities from requiring on-campus housing if a student lives with an immediate family member within a one-hour drive of campus.

DEFINITION

Defines 'immediate family member' as parents, guardians, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or adult siblings.

ENFORCEMENT

Requires universities to approve or deny off-campus housing requests within two business days if requirements are met.

TIMELINE

Sets the effective date of the law to July 1, 2025.

HB0771_1(1).pdf → HB0771 Legal Review Note.pdf · 4 edits

MODERATE

The original bill text was replaced entirely with a Legal Review Note. This document analyzes potential constitutional conflicts between the proposed housing mandate and the Montana Constitution's grant of autonomy to the Board of Regents. It suggests the bill may be unconstitutional because it forces the university system to follow a specific housing policy, overriding the Board's authority to manage academic and administrative priorities.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from a proposed law to a legal analysis document; the actual legislative text is no longer included.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement that universities allow students to live off-campus with family members within a one-hour drive.

Added a detailed legal analysis warning that the housing requirement likely violates the Montana Constitution by infringing on the Board of Regents' independent authority.

TIMELINE

Removed the effective date of July 1, 2025.

TECHNICAL

Added a disclaimer stating the review is not a formal legal opinion and the bill is presumed constitutional unless proven otherwise.

LC2874.pdf → HB0771_1.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from LC 2874 to HB 771.1, and the sponsor list was updated to include J. Etchart, F. Nave, and G. Kmetz. The text also changed from a blank introduction to a specific introduction format. These are primarily technical and administrative updates regarding the bill's identity and sponsorship rather than substantive policy changes.

TECHNICAL

Bill number changed from LC 2874 to HB 771.1

Sponsors J. Etchart, F. Nave, and G. Kmetz were added to the bill introduction

Header text changed from blank to 'INTRODUCED BY' with specific names

Revise university system laws to remove barriers to freshmen living off campus

What changed between versions

How they voted

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