Sen. Tony Tezak

Maddy summarySB 519 would require Montana's Department of Revenue property valuation staff to obtain written permission from landowners before entering private property to appraise or audit property for tax purposes. Landowners would need to provide written permission (via mail) by December 31 each year to allow appraisers access, or the department would estimate property value without entry. The bill also requires annual notices to landowners about their right to be present during appraisals and limits entry to established roads unless landowners grant additional access. This bill died in committee on May 23, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryMontana's SJ 14 is a state legislative resolution requesting the federal government release over 660,000 acres of designated wilderness study areas from consideration for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. It specifically targets seven Montana wilderness study areas (including West Pioneer, Sapphire, and Big Snowies) and 37 Bureau of Land Management wilderness study areas that have remained in legal limbo since the 1977 Montana Wilderness Study Act. The resolution argues these lands are hindering multiple-use management (like timber harvesting and agriculture) and causing federal management uncertainty, and asks for their formal release to allow standard federal land management under the National Forest Management Act. The resolution was tabled in committee and died in process in 2025, so it has not become law.

Maddy summarySB 209 limits conservation easements to a maximum term of 40 years (previously allowing perpetual terms), amending Montana law to require renewal for additional periods. It directly affects landowners who use conservation easements, prohibiting restrictions on agricultural activities for lands used for farming within the past decade and banning land conversion to federal control under such easements. Key provisions include revising definitions of "conservation easement" and "open-space land," and ensuring property tax assessments reflect the land's restricted use without lowering valuation. The bill does not change existing permitted easement restrictions (like limiting construction or development) but adds specific protections for agricultural use and landowner control.

Maddy summarySB 116 revises the Montana Heritage Preservation and Development Commission by reducing its membership from 14 to 9 individuals. The bill modifies the number of members appointed by the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House, and updates the specific qualifications required for these appointed positions. Additionally, it changes the administrative relationship with the Department of Commerce, transitioning the responsibility for providing staff and services to the commission from the commission itself to the department. These changes will take effect as current member terms expire, with an effective date of July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 520 revises state laws concerning mining leases on state-owned lands for metalliferous minerals, gems, and nonmetallic minerals. It establishes a primary lease term of at least 10 years, which can be extended if production continues or if legal challenges or exploration licenses delay operations. The bill also requires the state department to withhold proprietary geological information from public inspection for a minimum of five years after a lease expires. These changes directly affect mining companies and individuals who lease state lands for mineral extraction, as well as the state board overseeing these leases.

Maddy summarySB 362 revises the qualifications for municipal firefighters in Montana, directly affecting applicants and municipal fire chiefs. The bill grants fire chiefs the discretion to qualify individuals who have been convicted of certain misdemeanors or felonies. However, fire chiefs are prohibited from qualifying applicants convicted of crimes that require registration on the sexual or violent offender registry. This provides more flexibility for fire chiefs in evaluating candidates with past criminal convictions.