Housing

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 931: Allow for nonprofit development and management of attainable workforce housing on state lands

HB 931 clarifies that developing single-family or multifamily residential housing can be considered a commercial purpose for leasing state trust land. The bill specifically allows nonprofit corporations to lease state trust land to develop "attainable workforce housing." It revises the definition of "commercial purpose" within state law to include such residential developments under a master lease. This change aims to enable the creation of housing for workers on state-owned land.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly enables nonprofit development of workforce housing on state lands, directly advancing affordable housing access for workers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 920: Provide property tax exemption for senior care facilities and housing

HB 920 establishes a temporary property tax exemption for new senior care facilities and housing development projects. Tax-exempt non-profit organizations sponsoring these projects must first petition a local government, which determines if there is a "compelling need" for the project through a public hearing. If approved by the local government, the sponsor can then apply to the department of revenue for the exemption. This bill aims to encourage the development of various affordable housing and care options for seniors aged 55 or 62 and older.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for senior care facilities, reducing tax burden for affordable housing development.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides tax exemption for senior care facilities to encourage development of affordable housing, directly improving access to senior healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax exemption for senior housing development, explicitly aiming to encourage affordable housing construction through local need assessments.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 492: Revise municipal zoning laws related to parking requirements

HB 492 revises municipal zoning laws by setting new limits on the minimum parking space requirements local governments can impose on new developments. The bill generally caps required parking for residential units at one space per unit and for commercial spaces at one space per 5,000 square feet, with specific exemptions for certain types of projects like affordable housing or smaller commercial spaces. If a city or town chooses to require more parking than these new limits, it must compensate the developer or property owner for the real cost of constructing the additional spaces. This legislation directly affects municipal zoning authorities and developers within those areas.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts affordable housing from parking mandates, reducing development costs and advancing affordable housing goals through zoning reform.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 231: Revise property tax rates for certain property

HB 231 revises property tax laws by establishing reduced tax rates for certain class four residential and commercial properties. It provides a lower tax rate for qualifying owner-occupied principal residences and long-term rental properties, as well as for a portion of commercial property value. For principal residences, some owners will automatically qualify for the reduced rate for tax years 2025 and 2026 based on prior tax rebates or assistance programs. Beginning in tax year 2027, all owners seeking these reduced rates must apply to the department and meet specific eligibility criteria, such as demonstrating occupancy for a principal residence or rental periods for long-term rentals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduced property tax rates for qualifying owner-occupied residences provide tax relief, aligning with support for middle-income fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingReduces property taxes for owner-occupied residences and long-term rentals, lowering costs and supporting housing affordability for qualifying homeowners.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 243: Amend zoning regulations to allow taller buildings

SB 243 amends state zoning laws to allow for increased housing density and building height in certain municipalities. In urban areas with populations over 5,000, it requires cities to permit multiple-unit dwellings and mixed-use developments in commercial zones, provided they have municipal water and sewer. For these developments, the bill limits parking requirements to no more than one space per unit and prohibits height restrictions below 60 feet in specific commercial and industrial zones. Furthermore, it mandates that cities with at least 5,000 residents allow duplex housing in areas zoned for single-family residences, with similar zoning regulations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes zoning barriers (height restrictions, parking limits) to increase housing density and permit multi-unit developments, directly advancing housing development in urban areas.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 162: Revise definition of infrastructure for resort tax

House Bill 162 revises the definition of "infrastructure" for communities that levy a resort tax. This bill expands the types of projects that can be funded by a resort tax to include "workforce and community housing projects." Previously, resort tax funds for infrastructure were primarily allocated to traditional public services like water, sewer, roads, and public safety. This change allows resort communities and areas to utilize resort tax revenue for housing initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands resort tax revenue use to fund housing projects, redirecting existing tax funds toward community housing initiatives under local finance.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands resort tax funding to include workforce/community housing projects, directly advancing housing development through municipal revenue allocation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 149: Revise emotional support animal laws

SB 149 revises laws regarding emotional support animals (ESAs) in housing, affecting tenants with disabilities and landlords. The bill allows landlords to request specific documentation from a licensed health care practitioner if a tenant's need for an ESA is not readily apparent. This documentation must come from a practitioner with an established client-provider relationship who has conducted a clinical evaluation and identified the specific therapeutic support the animal provides. The bill also clarifies that ESA registration cards alone are not sufficient proof and holds tenants liable for damages caused by their emotional support animals.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingAdds documentation requirements for ESAs, potentially restricting tenant access to housing accommodations under disability laws.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Housing

passed both · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HJ 30: Study resolution on incentivizing housing density and affordability

HJ 30 is a joint resolution requesting an interim study on methods to increase housing density and affordability across Montana. The study will be conducted by an appropriate interim committee or staff designated by the Legislative Council. It will investigate incentives for local governments to increase housing density, review state programs supporting housing, and analyze the economic implications of increased density, including property taxes. The study will also identify programs to fund water and wastewater systems for local governments, with final results reported to the 70th Legislature by September 15, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly requests study of incentives to increase housing density and affordability, directly advancing policy solutions for affordable housing.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

Track

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 311: Require the refund of rental application fees

HB 311 requires landlords and property managers to refund residential rental application fees to applicants who do not ultimately sign a rental agreement. Landlords may deduct costs for specific services actually performed, such as a credit check, if the applicant was given written notice of these allocated costs when the fee was collected. However, they cannot retain fees for services not performed or for their own time. If an application fee is wrongfully withheld, an applicant can take civil action to recover the amount, with potential for attorney fees.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates refund of unperformed rental application fees, directly protecting tenants from financial burden and strengthening tenant rights per housing topic indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 172: Revise resort tax eligibility and allow use for workforce housing

SB 172 allows Montana resort communities and areas (designated under state law with populations under 3,500 that rely heavily on tourism) to use an additional 1% resort tax - previously restricted to infrastructure - specifically for workforce housing. The bill amends tax code sections to explicitly permit this new allocation, alongside existing infrastructure uses, for communities that qualify under the defined criteria. It does not create new taxes but changes how existing resort tax revenue may be spent, directly affecting designated resort districts and communities. The policy shift aims to address housing needs for local workers in tourism-dependent areas.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing resort tax revenue to fund workforce housing, expanding public service funding under current tax structure without new taxes.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly redirects existing resort tax revenue to fund workforce housing, advancing affordable housing access for workers in tourism-dependent communities.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly allocates resort tax revenue for workforce housing, addressing housing affordability for tourism workers in qualifying communities, directly supporting labor employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing