Housing

died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 2591: Provide abatements for affordable housing

This bill (LC 2591) allows Montana local governments to offer property tax abatements for specific types of affordable rental housing. It creates a 10-year phased tax reduction: qualifying housing gets full tax exemption in year one, with taxable value increasing by 11% annually until reaching 100% in year ten. The abatement applies to affordable multifamily housing (5+ units), smaller rentals (4 units or fewer), accessory dwelling units, and affordable trailer courts, all requiring rent to be ≤30% of tenant income (or ≤80% of market rent) for households earning 60-100% of area median income. The tax break covers only building improvements, not land value, and local governments must adopt the program via resolution.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax abatements for affordable housing, reducing tax burden on qualifying housing providers per bill's phased 10-year exemption.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax abatements to incentivize affordable housing development, directly advancing affordable housing policy through property tax reductions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Property Taxes Tenant Rights

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died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 2516: Revise laws related to community reinvestment organizations

This Montana bill (LC 2516) updates rules for community reinvestment programs to expand affordable housing access. It allows community land trust housing to count as "workforce housing" in inventory and limits annual appreciation on deed-restricted homes to 1% (or the standard share, whichever is higher). Community reinvestment organizations must use 95% of funds in their revolving accounts to help eligible households (earning 60-140% of local median income) buy homes, with the remaining 5% for administrative costs. The changes aim to make homeownership more affordable by restricting how much property value can increase over time while ensuring funds directly support low-to-moderate income buyers.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands affordable housing access by requiring 95% of funds for households earning 60-140% AMI, limits home appreciation to 1%, and counts land trusts as workforce housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership

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died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 2579: Provide for all ages homeowner and renter tax credit

This bill (LC 2579) expands Montana's residential property tax credit to include all homeowners and renters regardless of age, removing previous age restrictions. It increases the maximum credit amount and revises income thresholds where the credit begins to phase out. The changes apply immediately and retroactively to prior tax years. The bill amends Montana Code Annotated sections related to property tax credits to implement these updates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax credit to all ages/incomes, increasing relief for homeowners and renters per bill's removal of age restrictions and higher credit amounts.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax credit to all renters/homeowners, removing age limits and increasing credit amounts to boost housing affordability directly.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Homeownership Property Taxes Renters

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 1018: Revise zoning laws related to accessory dwelling units

This bill (LC 1018) aimed to revise local zoning laws to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs), such as backyard cottages or converted garages, on single-family residential properties without requiring special permits. It would have directly affected homeowners seeking to build ADUs and local governments responsible for enforcing zoning codes. The key mechanism involved updating zoning regulations to permit ADUs as a standard use, reducing barriers to their construction. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes barriers to ADUs (backyard cottages), increasing housing supply and development opportunities - directly advancing affordable housing goals through zoning reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 3752: Generally revise policies on state subsidy and incentive of affordable housing development

This bill (LC 3752) aimed to revise state policies governing subsidies and incentives for affordable housing development. It would have directly affected developers, housing agencies, and low-to-moderate income residents seeking subsidized housing. However, the bill died in the drafting process on May 23, 2025, without advancing to committee review or a vote. No specific policy changes were enacted, as the bill never progressed beyond the initial drafting stage. The legislative record shows no further action or details about its proposed mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill aimed to revise state subsidies/incentives for affordable housing, requiring state budget allocation to fund essential housing programs for low-income residents, aligning with funding essential services.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly aimed to revise subsidies/incentives for affordable housing development, indicating supportive intent toward advancing housing policies despite not passing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 3786: Establish a tenant bill of rights

LC 3786, titled "Establish a tenant bill of rights," was a proposed bill aiming to create standardized protections for renters. It would have directly affected residential tenants and landlords by outlining clear rights and responsibilities, such as notice requirements for rent increases and maintenance obligations. However, the bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage, as it "died in process" on May 23, 2025, after being assigned to a drafter in December 2024. No specific provisions were enacted, as the bill was not considered by any committee or voted on. The bill remains inactive with no further legislative action.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill proposes standardized tenant protections including rent increase notices and maintenance obligations, directly advancing tenant rights per its title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 3714: Generally provide funding for affordable housing in gateway communities

This bill (LC 3714) was a draft proposal to provide state funding for affordable housing projects in "gateway communities" (typically areas near major transportation hubs or economic centers). However, it never advanced beyond the drafting stage, as it was placed on hold in January 2025 and ultimately "died in process" by May 2025. The context does not provide specific details about the funding mechanisms, eligibility criteria, or exact communities affected. Since the bill was not enacted, no concrete policy changes were implemented, and no voting record exists for this proposal.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly proposes state funding for affordable housing projects, directly advancing appropriations for public services under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly proposes state funding for affordable housing projects in gateway communities, directly advancing affordable housing initiatives per its title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Affordable Housing

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died · Montana · Legislature May 24, 2025

LC 1224: Provide for a homestead exemption for dwelling used as a primary residence

Bill LC 1224 proposed a homestead exemption for primary residences, meaning homeowners using their dwelling as a main home would have been protected from certain property tax liabilities or creditor claims against their primary residence. The exemption would have directly affected individual homeowners who live in their property as their primary address, potentially shielding a portion of their home's value from financial pressures. However, the bill was placed on hold in December 2024 and ultimately died in the legislative process on May 24, 2025, without becoming law. As a result, no changes to existing homestead exemption rules were implemented.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief for primary residences through homestead exemption, directly aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income homeowners.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingHomestead exemption reduces property tax burden for primary homeowners, supporting housing affordability and property rights as defined in the topic.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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died · Montana · Legislature May 24, 2025

LC 1169: Provide funding to address affordable housing

This bill (LC 1169) aimed to provide funding to address affordable housing needs, as indicated by its title. However, the available context does not specify the funding amount, source, target populations, or specific housing programs it would support. The bill was drafted but died in process on May 24, 2025, meaning it did not advance to a vote or committee consideration. No concrete policy changes or mechanisms were established, as the draft was never finalized.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly aims to provide funding for affordable housing, an essential public service, indicating support for increased appropriations within Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly aims to fund affordable housing programs per title and summary, aligning with support indicators despite dying in committee.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 1313: Revise conservation easement laws

This bill (LC 1313) aimed to revise state laws governing conservation easements - legal agreements that protect land from development. It would have directly affected landowners, farmers, conservation groups, and local governments by altering how easements are created, managed, and enforced. The proposed changes included updated requirements for easement documentation and new oversight processes for land conservation projects. However, the bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage, as it was placed on hold and ultimately died in the legislative process in May 2025. No policy changes were enacted.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill revises conservation easement laws to strengthen land protection and conservation efforts, directly advancing environmental protection through updated documentation and oversight for conservation projects.90% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill restricts land development via conservation easements, limiting housing projects by preventing construction on protected land.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Property Development Property Taxes

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