Revise laws related to squatting
SB 101 creates new offenses for "unlawful squatting" (entering and staying on property without owner consent) and "fraudulent sale or lease" (advertising property for sale/rent without legal rights). Property owners gain clearer authority to request law enforcement removal of unauthorized occupants, with officers allowed to charge a service fee. Occupants convicted of unlawful squatting face misdemeanor penalties and must pay restitution equal to fair market rent for their stay. The bill also establishes a civil remedy for wrongful removal claims, allowing affected individuals to seek damages and attorney fees.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Jan 6, 2025
Signed Apr 18, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 5 comparisons
What changed between versions
SB0101_2(9).pdf
→
SB0101_X.pdf
·
5 edits
MODERATE
This bill strengthens Montana's anti-squatting and property fraud laws by creating new criminal offenses, adding restitution requirements, and clarifying law enforcement's authority to remove unauthorized occupants. It also updates the existing trespass removal statute to provide better indemnification for law enforcement acting in good faith.
Scope change
The bill expands criminal liability to include fraudulent listing of properties for sale or rent without legal title, and adds specific restitution requirements for unlawful squatting cases.
REQUIREMENT
New criminal offense of unlawful squatting with mandatory restitution equal to fair market value rent for the duration of occupancy
New criminal offense for knowingly listing or advertising property for sale or rent without legal title or authority
Mandatory minimum penalties of $1,000 fine or 6 months imprisonment for fraudulent sale or lease of property offenses
ENFORCEMENT
Explicit authority for law enforcement to immediately remove squatters from premises
Enhanced indemnification provisions for law enforcement officers acting in good faith during removal proceedings
Floor votes · Senate Apr 1, 2025 · House Mar 27, 2025
How they voted
35–15
Passed
Total votes 50
Apr 1, 2025
D
Democratic18
83% Nay
R
Republican32
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
47
Key actions
9
Committee
7
Amendments
1
Apr 17, 2025
Signed into law
(S) Signed by Governor
upper
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Signed by Speaker
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Signed by President
upper
Apr 1, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (35-15)
senate
Mar 27, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (58-41-1)
house
Mar 27, 2025
Introduced
(H) Returned to Senate with Amendments
lower
Mar 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Mar 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Jan 31, 2025
Committee
(H) Rereferred to Committee - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Jan 27, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Judiciary
lower
Jan 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Judiciary
upper
Jan 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Judiciary
upper
Jan 13, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Judiciary
upper
Jan 6, 2025
Introduced
(S) Introduced
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Becky Beard
RRepublican
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