HB 427: Require government to provide certain building code text or citation causing delay or stop - Montana

HB0427_X(1).pdf → HB0427_X(2).pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was finalized into its enrolled version, removing internal draft markers and formatting inconsistencies. Substantively, the penalty for government delays was simplified by removing a specific '7 calendar business days' deadline, while the civil remedy section was streamlined to remove references to 'appropriate relief' and 'stoppage of construction projects' in favor of a broader claim for compensatory damages.

TIMELINE

Removed a specific requirement for the building department to respond within '7 calendar business days'.

ENFORCEMENT

Simplified the civil lawsuit remedy by removing specific references to 'appropriate relief' and 'stoppage of construction projects'.

TECHNICAL

Removed draft annotations, page headers, and formatting inconsistencies to finalize the bill text.

HB0427_3(8).pdf → HB0427_X.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was finalized and enrolled for signature, converting it from a draft version (HB0427.3) to an official enrolled bill (HB 427). The substantive policy content regarding building code delays remains consistent, but the formatting was cleaned up to remove all-caps text and standardize the layout. The bill requires building departments to provide specific code citations within 7 days of a request; failure to do so waives the code section and triggers a $50-per-day penalty plus a right to sue for damages and legal fees.

Scope change

No change in scope or applicability; the bill applies to the Department of Labor and Industry and local building departments in Montana.

TECHNICAL

Converted the bill title and section headers from all capital letters to standard sentence case for readability.

Removed redundant page headers and footers that appeared in the draft version.

Added certification signatures and dates for the House Speaker, Senate President, and Chief Clerk, indicating the bill has passed both chambers and is ready for the Governor's signature.

HB0427_3(3).pdf → HB0427_3(4).pdf · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill removes redundant numbering from two sections, streamlining the text by eliminating extra parentheses. This is a technical formatting change intended to improve readability without altering the legal requirements or deadlines for the department to provide requested building code citations.

TECHNICAL

Removed redundant numbering (e.g., '(2) (3)' became '(2)(3)') in two sections to clean up the text.

HB0427_3(2).pdf → HB0427_3(3).pdf · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill adds a new subsection requiring building departments to provide specific building code citations within seven business days of a request. If they fail to respond on time or cause delays by withholding this information, they must pay a $50 penalty for each day of delay. The bill also clarifies that aggrieved parties can file civil lawsuits to recover damages and court costs if these delays occur.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of enforcement by adding specific penalties and a civil remedy for delays in providing building code citations, whereas the previous version lacked these specific consequences.

REQUIREMENT

Added a mandatory seven-business-day deadline for departments to provide specific building code citations to permit applicants.

Reorganized the text to clearly separate the failure to provide citations from the subsequent failure to respond to a request for those citations.

ENFORCEMENT

Established a $50 per day penalty for departments that fail to meet the response deadline or cause project delays.

Created a new right for aggrieved parties to file civil actions to recover compensatory damages and attorney fees for delays.

HB0427_2(12).pdf → HB0427_3.pdf · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from HB 427.2 to HB 427.3 and significantly expanded the penalties for building departments that delay permits or stop construction. The new version adds a specific $50-per-day fine for departments that fail to provide requested building code citations within seven days and clarifies that zoning or subdivision reviews must be completed before a building application is deemed complete.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly applies to delays caused by missing zoning, subdivision, or other approvals, requiring these reviews to be finished before a building application can be considered complete.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a specific penalty of $50 per day for every day a department fails to provide requested building code citations after a seven-day deadline.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified that departments must complete zoning, subdivision, or other required reviews before determining a building application is complete.

TIMELINE

Reorganized the timeline requirements to explicitly link the seven-day citation deadline with the new penalty for non-compliance.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill number from HB 427.2 to HB 427.3 to reflect the amendment version.

HB0427_1(5).pdf → HB0427_2.pdf · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill adds 'BUSINESS' to the deadline for government agencies to provide building code citations, changing the timeframe from 7 calendar days to 7 business days. This adjustment prevents weekends and holidays from extending the time agencies have to respond to permit requests, thereby clarifying the actual working time available for compliance.

TIMELINE

The deadline for the department or local building department to provide requested building code text or citations was changed from 7 calendar days to 7 business days.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting adjustments were made to the header and section numbering, but these do not alter the bill's legal effect.

LC0877.pdf → HB0427_1.pdf · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from LC 0877 to HB 427, indicating it has moved from the legislative committee stage to the House floor for consideration. The text of the bill itself remains substantively unchanged, with only minor formatting adjustments to the header and page footers.

TECHNICAL

Bill number changed from LC 0877 to HB 427 to reflect its progression in the legislative process.

Header and footer text were updated to reflect the new bill number and 'Authorized Print Version' status.

Require government to provide certain building code text or citation causing delay or stop

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