HB 369: Create a county road maintenance district - Montana

HB0369_1(12).pdf → HB0369_2.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to clarify its purpose by adding provisions for appropriations and contingent voidness. The text was reorganized to separate the authorization of road maintenance districts from the specific procedures for their creation and funding. These changes aim to improve the bill's clarity and ensure that the financial mechanisms for creating and operating these districts are explicitly defined.

Scope change

The scope of the bill remains focused on authorizing county road maintenance districts, but the internal structure now clearly distinguishes between the authority to create districts and the specific requirements for petitions, budgets, and tax assessments.

FISCAL

Added explicit language requiring an appropriation and providing for contingent voidness to ensure the bill has necessary funding authority.

REQUIREMENT

Reorganized the bill's structure to separate the authorization of districts (Section 1) from the petition and hearing process (Section 2) and budget/assessment details (Section 3) for better readability.

TECHNICAL

Adjusted the introductory summary line to reflect the new focus on appropriations and contingent voidness rather than just subtracting costs from the general fund.

HB0369_2(6).pdf → HB0369_1(7).pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill number was updated from HB 369.2 to HB 369.1, indicating a revision in the legislative process. The primary substantive change allows a governmental entity to carry forward unused authority to impose property tax mills if it does not impose the maximum authorized amount, providing greater flexibility in future tax levies.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on county road maintenance districts and property tax assessments, but the mechanism for taxing authority has been expanded.

FISCAL

Added a provision allowing entities to retain unused tax mill authority for future use if the maximum authorized mills are not imposed.

TECHNICAL

Removed a line item regarding the subtraction of district costs from the county general fund, simplifying the financial description.

Updated the bill identifier from HB0369.2 to HB 369.1 to reflect the current version of the legislation.

HB0369.002.002_combo_final-condensed.pdf → HB0369_2(6).pdf · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to remove an appropriation for a financial audit and a clause declaring the act void if a long-term maintenance agreement exists. The core policy change shifts the creation of new road maintenance districts from a board vote to a petition process requiring 66% owner support, while expanding the definition of 'maintenance' to include snow removal and traffic signal repairs.

Scope change

The bill now applies to roads owned by entities other than the county, provided a memorandum of understanding is signed, and the district creation process is now triggered by a property owner petition rather than a board decision.

FISCAL

Deleted a $25,000 appropriation for a financial audit of Granite County.

ENFORCEMENT

Removed a contingent voidness clause that would invalidate the bill if a county had a long-term agreement with a homeowners' association regarding road maintenance.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the trigger for creating a district from a board vote to a petition signed by at least 66% of property owners in the proposed district.

Added a requirement for a public hearing and a detailed district plan before a district can be created.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of 'maintenance' to explicitly include snow removal, leaf removal, traffic signal operations, and curb and gutter repair.

SCOPE

Authorized districts to include roads under the jurisdiction of other entities if a memorandum of understanding is signed.

HB0369_2(5).pdf → HB0369.002.002_combo_final-condensed.pdf · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly rewritten to add a new mechanism allowing counties to create road maintenance districts for roads owned by other entities, while removing the previous requirement to subtract district costs from the county general fund. The text also includes a new contingency clause that would void the act if a county enters a long-term agreement for road reconstruction, and adds a specific appropriation for auditing Granite County.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to authorize the creation of county road maintenance districts for roads owned by entities other than the county, whereas the original version focused primarily on funding adjustments for existing districts.

SCOPE

Added authority for county commissioners to create road maintenance districts for roads owned by non-county entities if the county no longer intends to maintain them.

FISCAL

Removed the requirement that counties must subtract the cost of road maintenance districts from their total general fund.

Added a $25,000 appropriation for a financial audit of Granite County for fiscal year 2024.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new contingent voidness clause stating the act is void if a county enters a long-term agreement for road reconstruction and maintenance.

TECHNICAL

Added a codification instruction specifying that the new sections should be integrated into Title 7, chapter 12.

HB0369_1(6).pdf → HB0369_2(1).pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from HB 369.1 to HB 0369.2, likely to reflect a new version or amendment. The primary substantive change involves the county's financial obligations: the requirement to subtract district costs from the general fund was replaced with a provision authorizing a specific appropriation. Additionally, the text was updated to include a new appropriation clause, altering how funds are allocated for the district.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding financial mechanics changed from a cost-offset requirement to an explicit appropriation authority.

FISCAL

Changed the requirement for the county to subtract district costs from the general fund to a provision that provides an appropriation.

Added language authorizing an appropriation for the district.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill title and number from HB 369.1 to HB 0369.2.

LC1974.pdf → HB0369_1.pdf · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill text was updated to reflect the new bill number (HB 369) and the 2025 legislative session, replacing the previous draft identifier (LC 1974). A substantive addition was made to the funding section, allowing a governmental entity to carry forward unused millage authority to future years if they do not impose the maximum authorized tax rate. This change provides greater financial flexibility for the entity to utilize its full tax capacity over time rather than losing unused authority.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on creating a county road maintenance district, but the financial mechanism for funding has been expanded to allow for the accumulation of unused tax authority.

FISCAL

Added a provision allowing a governmental entity to carry forward unused millage authority to future years if the maximum authorized tax rate is not imposed.

TECHNICAL

Updated document headers and footers to change the bill identifier from 'LC 1974' to 'HB 369' and updated the version label to 'Authorized Print Version'.

Create a county road maintenance district

What changed between versions

How they voted

Actions timeline

Sponsors