All Roll Calls
Yes: 266 • No: 29
MontanaHB 15969th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET
Revise rural improvement district laws to include maintenance of existing public improvements
Sponsored By: Alanah Griffith (Democrat)
Became Law
Taxation--PropertyLocal FinanceLocal GovernmentTaxation (Generally)CountiesProperty
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
City parcels in rural districts, with checks
Counties may include city properties in a rural district when the project touches the city and those parcels benefit. City owners can block inclusion if owners representing 40% or more of the projected city assessments protest. City parcels must get the same treatment for improvements, notices, and assessments as outside‑city parcels. The city and county must pass a joint resolution agreeing to the district terms before the county acts, and the county must give the city clerk the resolutions.
Rural districts can fund maintenance, move faster
The law lets counties create rural districts to maintain existing public improvements, not just build or buy them. Owners in the district can be assessed to fund upkeep. Before creation, the county must pass a resolution naming the district, boundaries, work, engineer, costs, and assessment method, and must publish and mail notice with these details and a hearing time. If a revolving fund backs debt, the notice states the county may loan money to it or levy a general tax. Counties can bundle projects in one contract and exclude already finished work. They can order work after 30 days without sufficient protests or after protests are overruled. If all owners waive protest, no petition is needed, and notice is not required when all owners sign the petition.
Road-only maintenance district petition rules
The county can create a road‑maintenance‑only district when owners of more than 85% of the area consent. If all roads to be maintained are already public improvements, owners of more than 50% of the area can petition. Property included under this rule must be in a residential subdivision; owners outside a subdivision can join only if they consent. If formed, owners in the area may be assessed to pay for maintenance.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Alanah Griffith
Democrat • House
Cosponsors
Dave Fern
Democrat • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/20/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 37 • No: 13
House vote • 3/19/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 39 • No: 10
House vote • 1/27/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 94 • No: 4
House vote • 1/24/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 96 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
4/7/2025HouseSigned by Governor
4/7/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
4/1/2025HouseSigned by President
4/1/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
3/28/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
3/21/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
3/20/2025House3rd Reading Concurred
3/20/2025Senate2nd Reading Concurred
3/19/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Concurred
3/18/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred
3/17/2025SenateHearing
2/19/2025SenateReferred to Committee
2/11/2025SenateFirst Reading
1/28/2025SenateTransmitted to Senate
1/27/2025House3rd Reading Passed
1/27/2025House2nd Reading Passed
1/24/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Passed
1/22/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed
1/22/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed
1/21/2025HouseHearing
1/14/2025HouseFirst Reading
1/10/2025HouseReferred to Committee
1/10/2025HouseIntroduced
1/9/2025House
Bill Text
As Amended (Version 2)
3/20/2025
Enrolled
3/20/2025
Introduced
1/9/2025