Housing (Property Development)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 29, 2025

LC 808: Amend zoning regulations to allow taller buildings

This bill amends Montana zoning laws to allow taller buildings and more flexible housing options in certain municipalities. It requires cities with over 5,000 residents to permit multiple-unit dwellings and mixed-use developments in commercial zones with municipal water and sewer access. The legislation also limits local governments from imposing more than one off-street parking space per unit, restricting parking requirements to those needed for accessibility, and preventing height restrictions on buildings from being fewer than six stories in qualifying urban areas. Additionally, the bill defines key terms like duplex housing and mixed-use developments to clarify what types of structures can be built under these new rules.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allows taller buildings, multiple-unit dwellings, and mixed-use developments while limiting parking requirements, directly increasing housing supply and affordability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 8, 2025

LC 936: Revise definition of infrastructure for resort tax

This bill expands the definition of "infrastructure" for Montana's resort tax to include workforce and community housing projects, allowing funds collected from tourists to be used for housing development in addition to traditional infrastructure like roads, utilities, and emergency services. The change directly affects resort area districts and communities where more than half of the economy relies on tourism, enabling these areas to leverage resort tax revenue for housing initiatives. By amending section 7-6-1501 of the Montana Code Annotated, the legislation clarifies that housing projects now qualify as eligible infrastructure uses for resort tax levies. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and approval, providing an updated framework for how tourism revenue can be allocated in designated resort areas and communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands resort tax definition to fund housing projects, increasing available funding for essential community infrastructure and services.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands resort tax definition to include workforce and community housing projects, enabling funding for housing development in tourism-dependent areas.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Property Development

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 13, 2025

LC 1029: Provide a 5 year prepaid property tax exemption during subdivision development

This bill creates a temporary property tax exemption for real property undergoing subdivision development in Montana. To qualify, developers must submit an approved exemption application and prepay five years of property taxes before January 1 of the tax year. The exemption lasts up to five years regardless of ownership changes or land splits, but ends when a habitable dwelling is built on a lot or when 95% of the subdivision is complete. The Montana Department of Revenue will manage the program through new rules and amend existing tax assessment procedures to handle these exemptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides temporary property tax exemption for subdivision development, reducing tax burden on developers and promoting housing development through fiscal incentives.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax incentives to encourage subdivision development, which can increase housing supply and support housing development.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Development Property Taxes

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 4, 2025

LC 1655: Revise municipal zoning to allow for triplex and fourplex housing

This bill requires cities with at least 5,000 residents to allow duplex, triplex, and fourplex housing on lots where single-family homes are permitted, ensuring these multi-unit options face no stricter zoning rules than single-family homes. It also mandates that urban municipalities with municipal water and sewer systems allow multiple-unit dwellings and mixed-use developments in commercial zones, while limiting off-street parking requirements to one space per unit. Additionally, the legislation encourages cities to adopt various housing strategies such as reducing minimum lot sizes, eliminating certain impact fees, and relaxing design requirements to promote more diverse housing options.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands housing options by allowing multi-unit dwellings in single-family zones and reducing parking requirements, directly increasing affordable housing supply.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning Tags Local Government

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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

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 · 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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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 27, 2025

LC 1863: Provide property tax exemption for senior care facilities and housing

This bill (LC 1863) provides a temporary property tax exemption during construction for new senior care and housing development projects. It applies specifically to nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) status) developing facilities for seniors 62+ or 55+ per federal housing rules. Local governments must approve each project via public hearing to confirm community need before the exemption begins. The tax break ends once construction is complete or if the facility is sold to a for-profit entity.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProvides temporary property tax exemption for nonprofits, reducing local government revenue during construction.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides tax exemption for nonprofit senior care facilities, enabling development of healthcare infrastructure for elderly residents per federal housing rules.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax exemption for nonprofit senior housing development, directly encouraging affordable housing construction under federal rules.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Property Development Property Taxes

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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

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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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