Housing

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 11, 2025

LC 850: Provide exemption for certain owner-occupied residential property owned by persons 65 or older

This bill creates a property tax exemption for Montana homeowners aged 65 or older who have lived in their primary residence for at least five years. The exemption reduces the tax owed by the difference between the property's current market value and its value in the year the exemption was first approved. To qualify, the home must be a single-family dwelling of up to five acres, and owners must file an application by March 1 of each tax year. The exemption ends if the property is sold or undergoes significant construction or remodeling, though owners may reapply after such changes. The law applies to property tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief for seniors, reducing tax burden and supporting fiscal relief for lower-income elderly homeowners.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides property tax exemption for seniors, reducing housing costs and protecting affordable housing access for older homeowners.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Homeownership Property Taxes

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 8, 2025

LC 692: Revise tenant moveout laws

This bill updates Montana's tenant moveout laws to clarify what counts as normal wear and tear, such as small nail holes and scuffs on walls, and limits cleaning deductions to actual professional cleaning costs. It prohibits landlords from charging for repainting or recarpeting when a tenancy lasts two years or more and requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of professional cleaning invoices when deductions are made. The legislation also shortens the time landlords have to notify tenants of security deposit deductions from 30 days to 21 days and clarifies the process for delivering refund notices and lists of damages.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by clarifying wear and tear, limiting cleaning deductions, and prohibiting unfair repainting fees, advancing housing stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 173: Revise property tax rates for certain property

This bill revises Montana's property tax laws to create lower tax rates for owner-occupied residential properties and long-term rentals, while also adjusting rates for certain commercial properties. It establishes specific eligibility requirements, such as requiring owners to live in a principal residence for at least seven months annually and rent out properties for at least 28 days per month over nine months of the year. The legislation includes an automatic qualification process for 2025 and 2026 for properties that previously received tax rebates, with a transition to a formal application system starting in 2027. Property owners must meet current tax payment requirements and can appeal decisions through a designated process outlined in the bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill lowers property tax rates for owner-occupied homes and long-term rentals, providing tax relief to homeowners and renters while adjusting commercial rates.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill lowers property taxes for owner-occupied homes and long-term rentals, making housing more affordable and protecting residential property owners.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Homeownership Property Taxes Renters

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 14, 2025

LC 1384: Provide coverage for medical respite care for medicaid-eligible homeless people

This bill establishes a medical respite care program for homeless individuals in Montana who are eligible for Medicaid and are too ill to recover at home but not sick enough for hospital care. The program allows eligible providers to offer short-term housing with supportive medical services, including medication management, treatment planning, disease screening, and care coordination. The Department of Public Health and Human Services must apply for federal approval to implement the program by January 1, 2026, and will be required to submit annual reports on the number of people served, program costs, and healthcare savings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid coverage for homeless individuals by establishing medical respite care program, improving access to healthcare services for vulnerable population.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides medical respite care housing for homeless Medicaid-eligible individuals, directly addressing homelessness and offering short-term supportive housing services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Public Health Homelessness

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 9, 2024

LC 627: Redistribute certain state tax revenue to primary residence property tax relief

This bill creates a state-funded property tax credit program for homeowners who designate their homes as primary residences. It redirects existing state lodging and rental car tax revenues into a special account, which is then distributed to counties to provide credits directly on property tax bills for certified primary residences. Homeowners must apply for certification by March 1 each year, and the Department of Revenue will verify eligibility while counties administer the credit payments. The program allows recipients to keep any excess credit if it exceeds their property tax bill, and it includes provisions for appeals and penalties for fraudulent applications.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief for homeowners through state-funded credits, directly supporting tax relief and fiscal management goals.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates state-funded property tax credit program for homeowners, providing financial relief and supporting housing affordability85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Sales Tax Historic Preservation Housing Finance Property Taxes

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 23, 2025

LC 412: Revise the state building code to allow single stairwells in certain buildings

This bill amends Montana's state building code to allow certain residential buildings to have a single stairwell instead of requiring two separate exits. It specifically permits Group R-2 occupancy buildings with six stories or fewer and no more than four units per floor to use one stairwell if they have an automatic sprinkler system and each unit has an emergency window or exit. The legislation also grants the state department rulemaking authority to adopt these changes while maintaining existing safety standards for fire protection and emergency egress.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill simplifies building codes to allow more efficient residential construction, potentially lowering housing costs and increasing housing supply through relaxed safety requirements.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 23, 2025

LC 1666: Require the refund of rental application fees

This bill requires landlords and property managers in Montana to refund rental application fees to applicants who do not sign a lease agreement, unless specific costs for services actually performed can be deducted. The law mandates that applicants receive written notice detailing how much of the fee covers each service, such as credit checks, and prohibits landlords from keeping fees for services that were not completed. If a landlord wrongfully withholds an application fee, the applicant can sue for damages and potentially recover attorney fees, with the burden of proof for services rendered falling on the landlord. These rules apply to all application fees collected on or after the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects tenant rights by requiring landlords to refund application fees, preventing financial barriers to housing applications and strengthening tenant protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 1053: Revising laws related to transfer of a single-family dwelling

This bill restricts investment firms from purchasing single-family homes that have been listed for sale for less than 45 days. The law defines an investment firm as a corporation or trust that pools investor capital to buy financial securities, and it applies this 45-day waiting period specifically to these entities. If an investment firm attempts to buy a home before the 45-day period ends, the seller can cancel the contract at any time before it is fully completed. The bill does not affect sales by other types of buyers or transactions that occurred before the law takes effect.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill restricts investment firms from buying homes quickly, preventing rapid turnover and protecting homeowners from predatory practices, supporting housing stability.75% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 8, 2025

LC 8: Establish a housing fairness tax credit

This bill creates a new housing fairness income tax credit for Montana residents who pay property taxes on their homes or rent-equivalent amounts on their rentals. It directly affects homeowners and renters with household incomes under $150,000 who have lived in Montana for at least nine months and occupied their residence for at least six months of the tax year. The credit amount is calculated based on household income, with higher credits available for lower-income households, and it cannot be combined with the existing residential property tax credit for the elderly. The legislation also clarifies that taxpayers cannot claim this credit if they receive public rent subsidies or property tax subsidies, and it amends several existing Montana code sections to incorporate these new provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax credit for low-to-moderate income residents, providing tax relief and supporting housing affordability through state revenue mechanisms.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates tax credit for homeowners and renters with income under $150K, directly supporting affordable housing access and financial relief for housing costs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 20, 2025

LC 3755: Authorize additional funding for coal trust loan program for housing

This bill authorizes the Montana Board of Investments to allocate an additional $50 million from the permanent coal tax trust fund for low-income and moderate-income housing loans, increasing the total available funding to $115 million. The legislation allows the Montana Board of Housing to administer these funds for developing and preserving homes and apartments to help eligible residents meet basic housing needs. It also updates related state statutes to clarify how these funds are managed and repaid into the coal severance tax permanent fund. The bill directly affects housing developers, nonprofit organizations, and low-to-moderate income households seeking affordable housing assistance through state loan programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $50M from coal tax trust fund for affordable housing, advancing state budget and funding essential housing programs95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $50M additional funding for low-income and moderate-income housing loans to develop and preserve affordable housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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