Housing

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 761: Revise laws regarding residential covenants

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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly protects property owners' rights regarding residential covenants, directly addressing 'property rights' within the housing topic as defined.95% confidence

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signed · Montana · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 924: Generally revise state finance laws

HB 924 creates the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust, funded by half of the state's unpredictable revenue (like capital gains or oil royalties) starting in 2027. Interest income from the trust is split: half distributes $15 million annually to five specific programs (disaster resiliency, property tax relief, water development, bridge repairs, and early childhood care), while the other half reinvests in pension funds and housing infrastructure. The bill establishes new accounts for these programs and sets rules for calculating volatile revenue using historical data to stabilize budgeting. It directly affects state budgeting, early childhood services, infrastructure projects, and pension systems through mandatory funding allocations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax relief and funds essential programs (disaster resiliency, water, bridges, early childhood) via new trust, directly supporting tax relief and public spending priorities.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allocates half of interest income to housing infrastructure, directly funding development projects per the trust's structure.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates funds specifically to 'bridge repairs' (transportation infrastructure) as one of five designated programs funded by the trust's interest income.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions State Budget Property Development Property Taxes Bridges

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 26, 2025

LC 1975: Establish a behavioral health trust fund

This bill creates the Montana Behavioral Health Trust Fund to provide dedicated funding for mental health and substance use services. It establishes a seven-member board (appointed by the governor, legislative leaders, and tribal representatives) to manage the fund, which receives quarterly interest from a permanent endowment (preserving the principal). Funds will support specific services like school-based mental health programs, crisis care, counselors in homeless shelters, transitional housing, and facility expansions - directly benefiting community organizations and public health services. The bill mandates that funds cannot replace existing state funding and requires the board to develop a state plan and monitor program effectiveness.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated funding via trust fund for mental health services, aligns with appropriations subject and supports public service funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds school-based mental health programs, directly supporting student well-being and access to educational services within K-12 schools.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates dedicated funding via trust fund for mental health/substance use services, supporting access through school programs, crisis care, and shelter counselors.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds counselors in homeless shelters and transitional housing, directly supporting housing stability for vulnerable populations through mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health Homelessness

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vetoed · Montana · Senate Jul 14, 2025

SB 424: Revising the disabled veteran property tax assistance program

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax relief for disabled veterans (60-90% disabled) via income-based rate reductions, directly reducing tax burden under Revenue/Taxation subject.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands property tax relief for disabled veterans, reducing housing costs for homeowners through income-based tax rate reductions.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands property tax assistance to 60-90% disabled veterans (previously 80%+), adding income-based tax reductions for this group, directly advancing veteran benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 213: Revise residential and commercial property tax rate

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesLowers property tax rates for most residential properties, providing tax relief to middle-income homeowners per bill's explicit rate reduction from 1.35% to 0.76%.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingLowers property tax rate for residential properties (1.35% to 0.76%), reducing costs for homeowners and rental units, advancing housing affordability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Property Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 489: Revise sales tax laws to provide for local option tax

HB 489, titled the "Local Option Property Tax Relief Act," would have allowed consolidated city-counties or counties to implement a local sales tax. This tax, requiring voter approval and capped at 4%, would apply to specific goods and services, excluding items like medical supplies and SNAP-eligible food products. The revenue generated from this local option tax would be specifically used to provide property tax relief for primary residences and long-term rental properties. A portion of the revenue would also be distributed to local governments that do not levy the tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates local sales tax (max 4%) to fund property tax relief for primary residences/rentals, directly reducing tax burden on homeowners per summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides property tax relief for primary residences and long-term rentals, reducing housing costs and supporting affordability through targeted tax relief.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Property Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 839: Provide income tax credit for certain long-time residents

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $500 income tax credit for lower-income residents ($100k cap), reducing taxable burden for qualifying long-term residents.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides $500 tax credit to long-term low-income residents ($100k income cap), increasing housing affordability for qualifying individuals without direct housing development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Property Taxes

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signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 346: Exempt Commerce grants and loans from MEPA

HB 346 exempts various grant and loan programs from environmental review requirements under the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). This bill directly affects the Department of Commerce, Board of Housing, and other commissions by removing the need for environmental assessments when authorizing or administering these specific programs. The exemptions apply to programs supporting microbusiness development, historic preservation, workforce training, housing finance, and other economic development initiatives. This aims to streamline the process for providing financial assistance through these identified programs.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts Commerce programs from MEPA environmental reviews, weakening oversight and protections by removing required assessments for projects.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts housing finance programs from MEPA, facilitating implementation and supporting housing development as explicitly listed in bill summary.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill exempts workforce training programs from MEPA reviews, facilitating faster implementation of employment-focused initiatives under Department of Commerce programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Historic Preservation Housing Finance Property Development Workforce Development

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 146: Creating the private property protection act

SB 146, the "Private Property Protection Act," would have limited Montana government actions restricting private property use to only those demonstrably necessary for public health or safety. It would allow property owners to challenge restrictions (like zoning rules or fees) in court if they fail to meet strict standards, requiring governments to prove the restriction is the least restrictive option for a compelling public interest. The bill directly affects private property owners and local/state governments by creating a legal process for contesting regulations. However, it died in the legislative process in May 2025 and never became law.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill restricts government zoning/development regulations by requiring courts to strike down restrictions unless proven 'least restrictive,' directly limiting housing policy implementation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 13: Generally revise laws relating to real property

This bill updates Montana's real property laws to clarify tenant rights and streamline land division rules. It allows tenants to remove trade/manufacture fixtures without damaging property and enables owners of fixed improvements (like homes) to resolve ownership disputes through court actions. The bill adds specific exemptions to subdivision review requirements, including court-ordered land divisions, mortgage-related lot creations, agricultural covenants, cemetery lots, and certain utility rights-of-way. It also requires courts to notify local governments before approving land divisions under new exemption rules.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies tenant rights by allowing fixture removal without damage, directly aligning with tenant protection indicators in housing policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages Property Development Tenant Rights

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