Housing (Property Development)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 28, 2025

LC 3146: Allow for nonprofit development and management of attainable workforce housing on state lands

This bill amends Montana law to clarify that nonprofit organizations can develop and manage "attainable workforce housing" on state trust lands through commercial leases. It updates the definition of "commercial purpose" to explicitly include nonprofit residential development for working-class housing, such as single-family or multifamily projects under a master lease. The change allows nonprofits to lease state lands for this specific housing purpose, while excluding agriculture, grazing, oil/gas development, and individual home sites. This is a technical clarification of existing leasing rules, not a new housing program, directly affecting nonprofits seeking to build affordable housing on state lands.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly enables nonprofits to develop affordable workforce housing on state lands, directly increasing accessible housing options through legislative clarification.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 3757: Revise laws related to the housing Montana fund

Montana bill LC 3757 revises rules for the Housing Montana Fund, a special fund supporting low- and moderate-income housing. The bill requires 20% of fund disbursements to go to rural areas based on population and clarifies that money can only fund housing development - not other board expenses. It specifies that loans/grants must help with housing preservation, bridge financing, land acquisition, or technical assistance for eligible applicants like local governments and nonprofits. Repaid loans and interest income must return to the fund, which will now also accept external contributions for housing projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill specifies 20% rural allocation and restricts fund use to housing development (not board expenses), strengthening fiscal management and funding for low-income housing programs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingDirectly funds low/moderate-income housing via mandatory 20% rural allocation, restricts fund use to housing development/preservation, and specifies eligible housing-related purposes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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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 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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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 1877: Regulatory reform for creation of mobile home parks

LC 1877, titled "Regulatory reform for creation of mobile home parks," was a draft bill intended to change regulations governing the establishment of mobile home parks. The bill was assigned to a drafter in November 2024 but died in the legislative process by May 2025, meaning it never advanced beyond the drafting stage. No specific regulatory changes or provisions were established, as the draft did not reach committee review or a vote. Consequently, the bill had no effect on current regulations or mobile home park development policies.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill title and summary indicate intent to reform regulations for mobile home park creation, a form of affordable housing, suggesting support for housing development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Tenant Rights

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 3144: Provide funding for public right of way new housing development infrastructure

This bill (LC 3144) proposed funding for infrastructure improvements in public rights-of-way (like streets and utilities) required for new housing developments. It would have provided state financial support for these necessary infrastructure projects. However, the bill was never enacted, as it died in the drafting process on May 27, 2025, with no further legislative action taken.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly proposes state funding for public infrastructure tied to housing development, aligning with public spending support under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds infrastructure for new housing development, directly advancing housing construction through state financial support for necessary public rights-of-way projects.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds infrastructure in public rights-of-way (streets/utilities) for housing, directly supporting transportation infrastructure improvements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 931: Allow for nonprofit development and management of attainable workforce housing on state lands

HB 931 clarifies that developing single-family or multifamily residential housing can be considered a commercial purpose for leasing state trust land. The bill specifically allows nonprofit corporations to lease state trust land to develop "attainable workforce housing." It revises the definition of "commercial purpose" within state law to include such residential developments under a master lease. This change aims to enable the creation of housing for workers on state-owned land.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly enables nonprofit development of workforce housing on state lands, directly advancing affordable housing access for workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 920: Provide property tax exemption for senior care facilities and housing

HB 920 establishes a temporary property tax exemption for new senior care facilities and housing development projects. Tax-exempt non-profit organizations sponsoring these projects must first petition a local government, which determines if there is a "compelling need" for the project through a public hearing. If approved by the local government, the sponsor can then apply to the department of revenue for the exemption. This bill aims to encourage the development of various affordable housing and care options for seniors aged 55 or 62 and older.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for senior care facilities, reducing tax burden for affordable housing development.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides tax exemption for senior care facilities to encourage development of affordable housing, directly improving access to senior healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax exemption for senior housing development, explicitly aiming to encourage affordable housing construction through local need assessments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Property Development Property Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 243: Amend zoning regulations to allow taller buildings

SB 243 amends state zoning laws to allow for increased housing density and building height in certain municipalities. In urban areas with populations over 5,000, it requires cities to permit multiple-unit dwellings and mixed-use developments in commercial zones, provided they have municipal water and sewer. For these developments, the bill limits parking requirements to no more than one space per unit and prohibits height restrictions below 60 feet in specific commercial and industrial zones. Furthermore, it mandates that cities with at least 5,000 residents allow duplex housing in areas zoned for single-family residences, with similar zoning regulations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes zoning barriers (height restrictions, parking limits) to increase housing density and permit multi-unit developments, directly advancing housing development in urban areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 337: Provide a 5 year prepaid property tax exemption during subdivision development

SB 337 creates a temporary property tax exemption for land undergoing residential subdivision development. Developers can qualify by applying to the department and prepaying five times the most recent annual property taxes and assessments for the property. This exemption applies to the real property within the subdivision for up to five years, or until a habitable dwelling is built on an individual lot, or until 95% of the lots in the subdivision contain habitable dwellings. The bill's provisions apply to property tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill incentivizes new housing construction via tax exemption for developers, directly advancing residential subdivision development and increasing housing supply.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Property Taxes