HB 831 increases Montana's elderly homeowner and renter income tax credit to help low-to-moderate-income seniors. It raises the maximum credit from $1,150 to $1,400 and increases the household income threshold for eligibility from $35,000 to $50,000 before the credit phases out. The bill also requires annual inflation adjustments to maintain the credit's value and applies retroactively to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024. This directly benefits Montanans aged 65+ who own or rent homes and meet the updated income limits.
SB 424 would have expanded Montana's disabled veteran property tax assistance program to include veterans rated 60% to 90% disabled (previously only 100% or 80%+). It updated tax rate reductions based on income, adding new multipliers for 80-90% disabled veterans (e.g., 70% reduction for $0-$45,803 income) while maintaining existing rates for 100% disabled veterans. The bill directly affected disabled veterans with 60-90% service-connected disabilities (or surviving spouses) who own and occupy their primary residence as a qualifying property. The proposed changes were not enacted, as the bill was vetoed by the governor on June 9, 2025, and the veto override failed on July 14.
HB 810 prohibits Montana landlords from charging extra fees based on how tenants pay rent (e.g., credit card or online payments), except to cover actual bank fees incurred for electronic payments. It defines "rent payment type" to include cash, checks, electronic methods, or other agreed-upon forms. The law directly affects all Montana tenants and landlords by standardizing payment terms in rental agreements. It amends existing tenant-landlord statutes to eliminate discriminatory fees while clarifying acceptable payment methods.
SB 266 requires Montana cities with populations over 5,000 to allow triplexes (three-unit homes) and fourplexes (four-unit homes) in areas where single-family homes are permitted, without imposing stricter rules than those for single-family properties. The bill mandates that zoning regulations for these multi-unit housing types cannot be more restrictive than those for single-family residences, including limits on parking (max one space per unit) and reduced requirements for lot sizes or building setbacks. It also encourages local governments to adopt additional housing strategies, such as eliminating or reducing off-street parking mandates and permitting accessory dwelling units. This bill directly affects cities meeting the population threshold, aiming to increase housing density options for residents.
HB 154 would have created a new tax credit for Montana renters and homeowners with household incomes under $150,000. The credit would equal 75% of either property taxes paid (for homeowners) or 15% of rent paid (for renters), minus an income-based percentage (ranging from 1% to 9.5%). To qualify, residents needed to have lived in Montana for at least 9 months and occupied a home or rental for 6 months during the tax year. The bill died in committee in May 2025 without becoming law.
HB 839 proposes a new $500 income tax credit for certain long-time residents of the state. To qualify, a taxpayer must have resided in the state for the prior 10 years, defined as at least 7 months per year, and have an income less than $100,000. This credit is non-refundable and cannot be carried forward to other tax years. If enacted, it would apply to income tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.
HB 916 aimed to provide property tax assistance specifically for primary residences. The bill proposed to fund this relief by revising the allocation of revenue generated from the state's lodging tax. This mechanism would have redirected a portion of the lodging tax proceeds, which are currently distributed to various state programs supporting tourism, historical preservation, and state parks, towards property tax relief for homeowners.
HB 761 revises laws regarding residential property covenants, aiming to protect property owners' rights. It prevents the enforcement of any new or amended restrictions on property use that are more restrictive than those that existed when the owner acquired the property, unless the owner provides express written consent. Owners claiming this protection must record their exception with the county clerk. The bill clarifies how these protections apply to successor owners and maintains the validity of existing covenants, except for newly imposed, more restrictive terms without consent.
HB 871 aimed to prevent municipalities from requiring a zoning change, specifically from single-family to multi-family, for parcels of land located outside city limits to connect to municipal water or sewer systems. It would have amended existing law to explicitly prohibit this requirement. The bill also included a $1,000 appropriation to the Department of Environmental Quality for updating related documents. This measure would have primarily affected property owners outside city boundaries seeking to access municipal utility services.
HB 213 proposed to revise the property tax rates for Class Four residential and commercial properties. These properties include most residential homes, rental units, and commercial buildings. The bill would lower the tax rate for most residential properties from 1.35% to 0.76% of their market value. It also adjusted the tax rate calculation for single-family homes valued over $1.5 million and for commercial properties, changing their multiplier from 1.4 to 1.35 times the standard residential rate. If passed, these changes would have applied retroactively to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.
