This bill establishes a new workforce renter's tax credit for Montana residents under 62 with household incomes below $45,000 who pay rent-equivalent property taxes, allowing eligible renters to claim up to $1,200 or $1,750 depending on their rent-to-income ratio. It also permits qualifying teachers to exclude certain earned income when calculating this credit and ensures any excess credit is refunded even if the taxpayer has no state income tax liability. Additionally, the bill increases the residential property tax credit for elderly residents and includes an inflationary adjustment to the income thresholds where these credits begin to phase out. The legislation also schedules periodic reviews of various tax credits, including the new workforce renter's credit, to evaluate their effectiveness and impact on taxpayers every eight years.
This bill directs the Montana Housing Infrastructure Revolving Loan Fund to keep all interest and income it earns rather than distributing them elsewhere. It also requires that the fund's principal can only be used if approved by a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers. The legislation authorizes the state treasurer to transfer $50 million from the general fund to the account in 2025 and another $50 million in 2026. Additionally, the law applies retroactively to interest and income earned since June 2023.
This bill requires self-storage facility operators in Montana to take steps to reduce financial losses when a renter leaves their leased space before the lease ends. The key provision establishes a legal duty for operators to actively mitigate damages rather than simply charging the full remaining rent owed. This change directly affects storage business owners and their tenants by altering how early lease terminations are handled financially. The bill adds this requirement to existing Montana laws governing self-storage facilities without changing other operational rules.
This bill amends Montana law to allow property covenants that restrict the sale or lease of homes to individuals with specific incomes or occupations, aiming to preserve workforce housing affordability. The change permits developers or homeowners to legally bind future property sales to buyers who meet certain income or job requirements, ensuring housing remains accessible to workers. By updating the legal framework for land covenants, the legislation enables long-term restrictions on property ownership that support affordable housing goals without requiring government intervention.
This bill updates Montana laws governing emotional support animals in housing by clarifying documentation requirements for landlords and tenants. It requires landlords to request supporting information from qualified health care practitioners when a tenant's need for an emotional support animal is not obvious, while prohibiting requests for medical records or disability diagnoses. The legislation defines emotional support animals as animals providing therapeutic support without requiring specialized training, distinguishes them from service animals, and establishes liability for property damage caused by these animals. Landlords must receive written determinations from practitioners who have established a client relationship at least 30 days prior to providing documentation.
This bill requires mobile home park lot rentals in Montana to have a minimum lease term of three years, with exceptions only if the tenant signs a documented waiver. It also mandates that landlords provide at least 180 days written notice before terminating a lease without cause. Additionally, the bill establishes monetary damages of up to one month's rent for either party who ends the lease early without cause. These changes aim to provide greater housing stability for mobile home residents and align state lease terms with federal housing program requirements.
This bill directs the state treasurer to transfer $50 million from Montana's general fund to the Housing Montana Fund, which is designed to support affordable housing initiatives. The legislation requires the Department of Commerce to review and update existing administrative rules related to housing programs before the next legislative session begins. These changes take effect on July 1, 2025, and directly impact the state's housing funding structure and regulatory framework.
This bill updates Montana's residential landlord-tenant laws to modernize how security deposits are handled and to allow for electronic communication and payments. It directly affects landlords and tenants by changing rules for cleaning charges, damage deductions, and the return of security deposits. Key provisions include allowing landlords to deduct reasonable cleaning labor costs, requiring written notice before charging for cleaning, and permitting landlords to send notices and refund deposits via email or electronic transfer. The bill also clarifies that landlords remain liable for returning deposits even if tenants fail to provide a new address, and it allows for immediate implementation upon passage.
This bill reclassifies short-term rentals as residential uses rather than commercial activities, which directly affects property owners, renters, and local zoning authorities in Montana. It establishes that short-term rentals are generally permitted in any area where residential use is allowed, unless a jurisdiction explicitly prohibits them across an entire zoning district or area. The law also creates specific protections for primary residences, allowing owners to rent out their homes even if local rules ban short-term rentals, provided the owner lives there at least 183 days annually. Additionally, the bill requires additional analysis before local governments can restrict or prohibit short-term rentals, ensuring communities consider the impact of such decisions.
This bill creates a grant program to help nonprofit organizations build or improve permanent supportive housing for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The Montana Department of Commerce would manage the program and distribute up to $75 million in grants for acquiring, constructing, or rehabilitating housing that includes long-term leases and on-site support services like mental health care, addiction recovery, and employment assistance. Funding comes from a new state account established by transferring $50 million from the general fund and $25 million from the behavioral health system for future generations fund, with grants awarded based on submitted proposals and adherence to specific project conditions.
