Provide for Montana’s future homesteading act

This bill would allow Montana to sell small parcels of state-owned land to qualified residents for homesteading purposes. The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation must identify state lands under 100 acres that are undeveloped, accessible, and free of restrictions, then offer them in parcels no larger than 5 acres. Only individuals who have lived continuously in Montana for the past 10 years are eligible to purchase these deeds at full market value, determined by comparable sales of nearby properties. Buyers must construct a home with a permanent foundation as their primary residence within five years, or the property reverts to state ownership with a refund of the purchase price. The department will also create rules to implement these requirements.