Housing

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 22, 2025

LC 1958: Revise security deposit laws to provide tenants more information and time

This bill amends Montana's security deposit laws to give tenants more time to clean rental units before landlords can deduct cleaning fees from their deposits. It requires landlords to provide written notice listing specific cleaning tasks not completed by the tenant, along with cost estimates and instructions on what needs to be done. Tenants would then have 48 hours to complete the required cleaning after receiving notice, unless they have already vacated without proper notice. The bill also prohibits landlords from charging a separate fee to inspect the cleaning work tenants have completed. These changes apply to all residential tenants and landlords in Montana covered by the state's landlord-tenant laws.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by requiring landlords to provide specific cleaning notices and giving tenants 48 hours to complete cleaning before deductions, advancing tenant rights in housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 1880: Revise resort tax eligibility and allow use for workforce housing

This bill modifies Montana's resort tax laws to allow an additional 1% tax rate on lodging and dining in designated resort areas, with the revenue specifically designated for infrastructure projects or workforce housing. The legislation defines workforce housing as rental properties where at least 20% of units are rent-restricted to households earning between 60% and 120% of the area median income. It also updates definitions for resort areas and communities, adjusting population thresholds and clarifying what qualifies as taxable goods and services versus exempt necessities. Local governments in resort communities and areas must still obtain voter approval before implementing or changing resort taxes, maintaining the existing requirement for public consent.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases resort tax revenue specifically designated for workforce housing and infrastructure, advancing state budget goals and funding essential public services.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill designates resort tax revenue specifically for workforce housing, directly funding affordable housing development and protecting housing access for moderate-income households.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds workforce housing for moderate-income workers, addressing housing affordability which supports labor standards and worker stability.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 12, 2025

LC 2352: Revise residential home construction contract laws

This bill establishes that an accepted bid for residential home construction must represent the total amount to be paid unless the parties explicitly agree in writing beforehand that it is not the final price. It directly affects homeowners and contractors by clarifying financial obligations and preventing contractors from increasing costs after a bid has been accepted. The law allows flexibility by permitting written exceptions where both parties agree the bid is not the final amount owed. This change aims to provide greater transparency and predictability in residential construction contracts.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects homeowners from unexpected cost increases, strengthening consumer protection in residential construction and promoting fair housing practices.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 11, 2025

LC 850: Provide exemption for certain owner-occupied residential property owned by persons 65 or older

This bill creates a property tax exemption for Montana homeowners aged 65 or older who have lived in their primary residence for at least five years. The exemption reduces the tax owed by the difference between the property's current market value and its value in the year the exemption was first approved. To qualify, the home must be a single-family dwelling of up to five acres, and owners must file an application by March 1 of each tax year. The exemption ends if the property is sold or undergoes significant construction or remodeling, though owners may reapply after such changes. The law applies to property tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief for seniors, reducing tax burden and supporting fiscal relief for lower-income elderly homeowners.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides property tax exemption for seniors, reducing housing costs and protecting affordable housing access for older homeowners.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Homeownership Property Taxes

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 8, 2025

LC 692: Revise tenant moveout laws

This bill updates Montana's tenant moveout laws to clarify what counts as normal wear and tear, such as small nail holes and scuffs on walls, and limits cleaning deductions to actual professional cleaning costs. It prohibits landlords from charging for repainting or recarpeting when a tenancy lasts two years or more and requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of professional cleaning invoices when deductions are made. The legislation also shortens the time landlords have to notify tenants of security deposit deductions from 30 days to 21 days and clarifies the process for delivering refund notices and lists of damages.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by clarifying wear and tear, limiting cleaning deductions, and prohibiting unfair repainting fees, advancing housing stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 173: Revise property tax rates for certain property

This bill revises Montana's property tax laws to create lower tax rates for owner-occupied residential properties and long-term rentals, while also adjusting rates for certain commercial properties. It establishes specific eligibility requirements, such as requiring owners to live in a principal residence for at least seven months annually and rent out properties for at least 28 days per month over nine months of the year. The legislation includes an automatic qualification process for 2025 and 2026 for properties that previously received tax rebates, with a transition to a formal application system starting in 2027. Property owners must meet current tax payment requirements and can appeal decisions through a designated process outlined in the bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill lowers property tax rates for owner-occupied homes and long-term rentals, providing tax relief to homeowners and renters while adjusting commercial rates.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill lowers property taxes for owner-occupied homes and long-term rentals, making housing more affordable and protecting residential property owners.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Homeownership Property Taxes Renters

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 14, 2025

LC 1384: Provide coverage for medical respite care for medicaid-eligible homeless people

This bill establishes a medical respite care program for homeless individuals in Montana who are eligible for Medicaid and are too ill to recover at home but not sick enough for hospital care. The program allows eligible providers to offer short-term housing with supportive medical services, including medication management, treatment planning, disease screening, and care coordination. The Department of Public Health and Human Services must apply for federal approval to implement the program by January 1, 2026, and will be required to submit annual reports on the number of people served, program costs, and healthcare savings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid coverage for homeless individuals by establishing medical respite care program, improving access to healthcare services for vulnerable population.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides medical respite care housing for homeless Medicaid-eligible individuals, directly addressing homelessness and offering short-term supportive housing services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Public Health Homelessness

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 9, 2024

LC 627: Redistribute certain state tax revenue to primary residence property tax relief

This bill creates a state-funded property tax credit program for homeowners who designate their homes as primary residences. It redirects existing state lodging and rental car tax revenues into a special account, which is then distributed to counties to provide credits directly on property tax bills for certified primary residences. Homeowners must apply for certification by March 1 each year, and the Department of Revenue will verify eligibility while counties administer the credit payments. The program allows recipients to keep any excess credit if it exceeds their property tax bill, and it includes provisions for appeals and penalties for fraudulent applications.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief for homeowners through state-funded credits, directly supporting tax relief and fiscal management goals.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates state-funded property tax credit program for homeowners, providing financial relief and supporting housing affordability85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Sales Tax Historic Preservation Housing Finance Property Taxes

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 4039: Revise landlord and tenant laws

This bill revises Montana's landlord and tenant laws to clarify protections for invitees who have not established a formal rental relationship, allowing owners to request law enforcement remove unauthorized occupants. It establishes specific timelines for eviction hearings, requiring courts to hear possession cases within 10 business days for most violations or 5 days for certain noncompliance issues. The legislation also sets a 45-day limit for resolving damage claims and mandates that eviction writs be executed by the sheriff within 5 business days after a landlord wins a possession case. Additionally, it defines what counts as valid authorization to occupy property, including written rental agreements or verified verbal permission from landlords or tenants.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill strengthens landlord powers and speeds up evictions, which weakens tenant protections and reduces housing stability for renters75% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 23, 2025

LC 412: Revise the state building code to allow single stairwells in certain buildings

This bill amends Montana's state building code to allow certain residential buildings to have a single stairwell instead of requiring two separate exits. It specifically permits Group R-2 occupancy buildings with six stories or fewer and no more than four units per floor to use one stairwell if they have an automatic sprinkler system and each unit has an emergency window or exit. The legislation also grants the state department rulemaking authority to adopt these changes while maintaining existing safety standards for fire protection and emergency egress.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill simplifies building codes to allow more efficient residential construction, potentially lowering housing costs and increasing housing supply through relaxed safety requirements.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes

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