Housing

signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 458: Revise commercial property assessed capital enhancement program laws

SB 458 expands the types of projects eligible for financing through Commercial Property-Assessed Capital Enhancements (CPACE) programs. It allows commercial, industrial, multifamily housing, and agricultural property owners to finance "public safety and resiliency improvement projects." These projects include enhancements for seismic structural integrity, indoor air quality, resistance to wind, fire, and flooding, power outage resilience, and stormwater control measures. Local governments can establish these programs, enabling property owners to secure third-party financing repaid through a property assessment.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly includes multifamily housing as eligible for CPACE financing to fund safety/resiliency improvements, directly supporting housing maintenance and enhancement of existing housing stock.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Taxes

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

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Homeownership Property Taxes

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 25, 2025

LC 4307: Study resolution on incentivizing housing density and affordability

This joint resolution (LC 4307) requests an interim study to examine ways to increase housing density and affordability in Montana. It directs the Legislative Council to investigate methods for incentivizing denser housing developments, reviewing state programs supporting housing units, analyzing tax impacts on homeowners and developments, and identifying infrastructure funding solutions. The study must include input from developers, local governments, and housing advocates, and report findings to the 70th Legislature by September 15, 2026. This resolution does not create new laws but focuses on gathering data to inform future housing policy decisions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directs study to incentivize denser, affordable housing developments, aiming to advance housing density and affordability policies through state program review and infrastructure solutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 25, 2025

LC 2509: Create a mobile home park emergency relocation account

This bill creates a state-funded mobile home park emergency relocation account to help tenants who must move due to a park's change in use (e.g., redevelopment). Tenants renting mobile homes in Montana can receive up to $10,000 for single-section or $15,000 for multi-section mobile homes to cover moving costs, or 50% of that amount if abandoning the home. The account is funded by annual $1.50 assessments per $100 of a mobile home's taxable value (paid like property tax) and campground license fees. Eligibility requires the tenant to be notified before a change-in-use notice and not to have already relocated within the park. The Department of Commerce manages the account and disburses funds per the bill's rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new property tax assessment ($1.50/$100 taxable value) to fund relocation assistance, directly advancing budget appropriations and taxation policy for tenant support.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates state-funded relocation assistance ($10k-$15k) for mobile home tenants displaced by park redevelopment, directly protecting tenant rights and addressing displacement in housing context.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Taxes

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 25, 2025

LC 2403: Revise requirements to connect to municipal water/sewer system

This bill prohibits Montana municipalities from requiring landowners outside city limits to change zoning (e.g., from single-family to multifamily) before connecting to municipal water or sewer systems. It directly affects property owners seeking to connect to city utilities beyond corporate boundaries. The key provision amends Montana Code Annotated 7-13-4312 to explicitly ban such zoning requirements as a condition for service. The bill also appropriates $1,000 for the Department of Environmental Quality to update related documents and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves zoning barrier for utility connection, facilitating housing development (e.g., multifamily) without requiring landowners to change zoning first.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 26, 2025

LC 1276: Revise local growth policy and county zoning laws

This bill amends Montana law to prevent counties from including certain "sensitive lands" requirements in growth policies for areas outside city boundaries. It directly affects counties, cities, and landowners in rural areas by restricting how local governments can regulate land use outside incorporated cities. The key change prohibits counties from imposing specific land use rules (like those for natural resources or fire safety) on rural lands within their zoning policies. The bill also revises county zoning requirements and includes a funding appropriation, amending sections 76-1-601, 76-2-203, and 76-2-212 of Montana Code Annotated.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentPrevents counties from regulating natural resources on rural lands via zoning, weakening local environmental protections by removing sensitive lands requirements.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves county restrictions on rural land use (e.g., 'sensitive lands' requirements), facilitating housing development by eliminating barriers to construction outside city boundaries.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Zoning Tags Local Government

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 27, 2025

LC 1863: Provide property tax exemption for senior care facilities and housing

This bill (LC 1863) provides a temporary property tax exemption during construction for new senior care and housing development projects. It applies specifically to nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) status) developing facilities for seniors 62+ or 55+ per federal housing rules. Local governments must approve each project via public hearing to confirm community need before the exemption begins. The tax break ends once construction is complete or if the facility is sold to a for-profit entity.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProvides temporary property tax exemption for nonprofits, reducing local government revenue during construction.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides tax exemption for nonprofit senior care facilities, enabling development of healthcare infrastructure for elderly residents per federal housing rules.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax exemption for nonprofit senior housing development, directly encouraging affordable housing construction under federal rules.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Property Development Property Taxes

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 28, 2025

LC 3146: Allow for nonprofit development and management of attainable workforce housing on state lands

This bill amends Montana law to clarify that nonprofit organizations can develop and manage "attainable workforce housing" on state trust lands through commercial leases. It updates the definition of "commercial purpose" to explicitly include nonprofit residential development for working-class housing, such as single-family or multifamily projects under a master lease. The change allows nonprofits to lease state lands for this specific housing purpose, while excluding agriculture, grazing, oil/gas development, and individual home sites. This is a technical clarification of existing leasing rules, not a new housing program, directly affecting nonprofits seeking to build affordable housing on state lands.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly enables nonprofits to develop affordable workforce housing on state lands, directly increasing accessible housing options through legislative clarification.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 31, 2025

LC 2489: Study resolution on coordinated homeless services

This joint resolution (LC 2489) requests an interim study on coordinated homeless services in Montana, directed to the Legislative Council by the 70th Legislature. It asks a committee to examine wraparound services, permanent supportive housing, and data on homelessness - especially impacts on people with disabilities - while assessing healthcare cost savings and rural service access. The study must conclude by September 15, 2026, and report findings to the next legislative session. It does not enact new policy but aims to inform future decisions on homeless service coordination.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requests study on permanent supportive housing and wraparound services to address homelessness, directly aligning with housing solution indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 3757: Revise laws related to the housing Montana fund

Montana bill LC 3757 revises rules for the Housing Montana Fund, a special fund supporting low- and moderate-income housing. The bill requires 20% of fund disbursements to go to rural areas based on population and clarifies that money can only fund housing development - not other board expenses. It specifies that loans/grants must help with housing preservation, bridge financing, land acquisition, or technical assistance for eligible applicants like local governments and nonprofits. Repaid loans and interest income must return to the fund, which will now also accept external contributions for housing projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill specifies 20% rural allocation and restricts fund use to housing development (not board expenses), strengthening fiscal management and funding for low-income housing programs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingDirectly funds low/moderate-income housing via mandatory 20% rural allocation, restricts fund use to housing development/preservation, and specifies eligible housing-related purposes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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