Housing

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 3253: Generally revise residential landlord and tenant laws

This bill revises Montana's residential landlord and tenant laws by updating definitions and requiring a 90-day notice period for changes or termination of rental agreements entered into after one year with a property management company. The legislation directly affects landlords, tenants, and property management companies by clarifying terms such as "property management company," "good faith," and "dwelling unit" to ensure consistent application across the state. Key provisions include establishing what constitutes an emergency situation, defining guest stay limits, and specifying how rent and rental agreements are interpreted. These changes aim to provide clearer legal standards for residential leasing relationships without altering existing rights or obligations for either party.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by clarifying definitions and requiring longer notice periods for rental changes, directly supporting housing stability and tenant rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 8, 2025

LC 936: Revise definition of infrastructure for resort tax

This bill expands the definition of "infrastructure" for Montana's resort tax to include workforce and community housing projects, allowing funds collected from tourists to be used for housing development in addition to traditional infrastructure like roads, utilities, and emergency services. The change directly affects resort area districts and communities where more than half of the economy relies on tourism, enabling these areas to leverage resort tax revenue for housing initiatives. By amending section 7-6-1501 of the Montana Code Annotated, the legislation clarifies that housing projects now qualify as eligible infrastructure uses for resort tax levies. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and approval, providing an updated framework for how tourism revenue can be allocated in designated resort areas and communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands resort tax definition to fund housing projects, increasing available funding for essential community infrastructure and services.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands resort tax definition to include workforce and community housing projects, enabling funding for housing development in tourism-dependent areas.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Property Development

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 5, 2025

LC 1282: Require homeowners' associations to seek permission for entry on real property

This bill requires homeowners' associations to obtain explicit permission from property owners before their agents can enter private real property. The legislation mandates that associations must coordinate entry times to suit the owner's convenience and clearly specify which areas they intend to access. Property owners retain the right to be present during any such entry, while public access to common areas like sidewalks remains unaffected. The law defines homeowners' associations as organized groups governing specific geographic areas with authority over assessments and community rules.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens property rights by requiring HOAs to obtain explicit permission before entering private property, protecting homeowners' privacy and control over their real estate.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 27, 2025

LC 129: Provide income tax credit for renters

This bill creates a new Montana income tax credit for renters with household incomes under $45,000 who pay rent-equivalent property taxes. The credit equals the lesser of the amount by which rent-equivalent taxes exceed 4% of gross income or $500, with reduced credit amounts for those earning between $35,000 and $45,000. Renters cannot claim this credit if they also qualify for the elderly residential property tax credit, and any unused credit amount is refunded to the claimant. The legislation also adds the renter's tax credit to a list of tax credits that must be reviewed by the revenue interim committee every eight years starting in 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides income tax credit for low-income renters, offering tax relief and financial support to households under $45,000.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates income tax credit for low-income renters, directly supporting affordable housing by reducing financial burden on tenants.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 26, 2025

LC 879: Revise tenant landlord laws

This bill updates Montana's rental laws by clarifying key definitions used in tenant-landlord agreements and establishing new rules for rent payment methods. It directly affects landlords, tenants, and property managers by standardizing terms like "dwelling unit," "tenant," and "rent payment type" to include cash, check, electronic, and other agreed-upon forms. The legislation prohibits landlords from charging additional fees based on how rent is paid, with the exception of reimbursing tenants for electronic bank fees incurred during payment. By amending specific sections of the Montana Code Annotated, the bill aims to create clearer legal standards for rental transactions across the state.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by standardizing definitions and prohibiting additional fees based on payment methods, advancing fair housing practices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 23, 2025

LC 3819: Revise procurement laws to provide priority criteria for certain public assistance and human services contractors

This bill requires Montana state agencies to prioritize certain contractors when awarding contracts for human services, family services, and public assistance programs like housing and energy aid. The law establishes a scoring system that gives extra points to providers with proven experience in the specific geographic area, a longer history of service in the state, strong local partnerships, and a commitment to creating or maintaining in-state jobs. These provisions directly affect government departments responsible for distributing public assistance funds and the organizations competing for those contracts. The bill aims to support local businesses and community-based providers by ensuring they receive favorable consideration during the procurement process.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens housing assistance by prioritizing contractors with local experience and job creation commitments, indirectly supporting housing program effectiveness and stability.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill prioritizes contractors committed to creating/maintaining in-state jobs, directly supporting employment standards and local job creation.75% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 20, 2024

LC 15: Providing that recreational vehicles and mobile homes are reviewed as buildings for rent or lease

This bill requires recreational vehicles and mobile homes to be classified as buildings for rent or lease when placed on land, meaning these spaces will be subject to subdivision review processes. The law directly affects landowners, developers, and local governments by mandating that areas with multiple RV or mobile home spaces undergo the same regulatory scrutiny as traditional subdivisions. Key provisions amend existing Montana statutes to explicitly include these types of living spaces within the legal definition of a subdivision, ensuring they meet the same standards for infrastructure and land division. Local governing bodies will need to apply existing subdivision regulations to these sites, potentially requiring surveys, plats, and compliance checks similar to those for conventional housing developments.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill restricts affordable housing options by requiring RVs and mobile homes to undergo subdivision review, limiting their use as rental housing and reducing available affordable living spaces.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Renters

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 30, 2025

LC 1861: Revise land use laws related to manufactured and factory built homes

This bill revises Montana's land use laws to require that manufactured and factory-built homes be treated the same as other residential properties in zoning regulations. It directly affects local governments, homeowners, and housing developers by mandating equal treatment in zoning districts and establishing a rebuttable presumption that placing these homes will not negatively impact property values. The legislation also updates definitions to include mobile homes and house trailers under manufactured housing, allows manufactured housing as a commercial purpose on state trust land leases, and defines tiny dwelling units as 350 to 750 square feet on permanent foundations. Additionally, the bill clarifies that local design review standards must be clear, objective, and necessary to protect public health or safety.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates equal zoning treatment for manufactured homes, increasing housing options and preventing discriminatory zoning restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Zoning

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 4314: Revise resort tax eligibility and allow use for workforce housing

This bill updates Montana's resort tax laws to allow an additional 1% tax rate on goods and services in designated resort areas, with the revenue specifically designated for infrastructure projects or workforce housing. It directly affects resort communities and areas that rely on tourism, requiring voter approval before any resort tax can be imposed or changed. The legislation also clarifies definitions for key terms like "workforce housing," which must have at least 20% of units available to renters earning between 60% and 120% of the area median income, and expands the population threshold for certain resort areas from 2,500 to 3,500 people.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases funding for workforce housing and infrastructure through designated resort tax revenue, advancing budget priorities for essential community needs.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill designates resort tax revenue specifically for workforce housing infrastructure, directly funding affordable housing initiatives and expanding housing availability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Affordable Housing

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 8, 2025

LC 3842: Remove the restriction on inclusionary zoning

This bill removes state-level restrictions that currently prevent Montana cities and towns from requiring developers to pay fees or dedicate land for affordable housing. By repealing specific sections of the Montana Code Annotated, the legislation allows local governments to mandate that housing projects include units for specified income levels or sell at specified prices. The key change eliminates the prohibition on fees and land dedications that were previously in place under state zoning laws. Local municipalities would gain the authority to implement inclusionary zoning policies to address housing affordability within their jurisdictions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes state restrictions on inclusionary zoning, allowing cities to mandate affordable housing units and fees, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

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