Lower residential, commercial, and agricultural property tax rates
SB 189 lowers property tax rates for specific categories in Montana. It reduces the tax rate for Class Three agricultural land from 2.16% to 1.85% of its agricultural value, and cuts the standard residential tax rate from 1.35% to 0.76% of market value (with a reduced rate for homes over $1.5 million). Commercial property tax rates also decrease, from a previous 1.4x multiplier to 1.35% of market value. The bill applies retroactively to 2025 tax years, meaning affected property owners may receive refunds for past taxes paid under the higher rates. It directly impacts Montana landowners with agricultural properties, residential homes (especially higher-value ones), and commercial properties.
Bill status
died
2 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Failed
Mar 2025
Governor
Introduced Jan 21, 2025
Last action May 23, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
LC2039.pdf
→
SB0189_1.pdf
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates Montana's property tax rates for agricultural and residential properties to mitigate the financial impact of recent property value revaluations. It lowers the tax rate for Class Three agricultural land from 2.16% to 1.85% and reduces the rate for high-value single-family homes in excess of $1.5 million from 1.89% (1.35% x 1.4) to 1.026% (0.76% x 1.35). The legislation also adjusts the tax rate for commercial property associated with these high-value homes and establishes a retroactive effective date for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.
Scope change
The bill applies retroactively to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, and the reappraisal cycle beginning January 1, 2025, rather than being effective only upon passage.
FISCAL
Reduced the property tax rate for Class Three agricultural land from 2.16% to 1.85% of productive capacity value.
Lowered the tax rate for the portion of single-family residential property value exceeding $1.5 million from 1.89% to 1.026%.
Adjusted the tax rate for commercial property linked to high-value residences from 1.89% to 1.026%.
TIMELINE
Changed the effective date to apply retroactively to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, and the reappraisal cycle starting January 1, 2025.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 25, 2025
How they voted
22–28
Failed
Total votes 50
Mar 25, 2025
D
Democratic18
100% Yea
R
Republican32
87% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
26
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Amendments
2
Apr 1, 2025
Amended
(S) Tabled in Committee - (S) Taxation
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Vote failed
Senate Vote: fail (22-28)
senate
Mar 19, 2025
Amended
(S) Tabled in Committee - (S) Taxation
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Taxation
upper
Jan 21, 2025
Introduced
(S) Introduced
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Mary Ann Dunwell
DDemocratic
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