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MontanaHB 15969th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revise rural improvement district laws to include maintenance of existing public improvements

Sponsored By: Alanah Griffith (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

Taxation--PropertyLocal FinanceLocal GovernmentTaxationCountiesProperty

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Easier road maintenance districts in subdivisions

For road‑maintenance‑only districts, a petition needs consent from owners of more than 85% of the area. If all roads to be maintained are public improvements, consent from more than 50% of the area is enough. Properties counted under these rules must be in a residential subdivision. Owners outside a subdivision can choose to be included. Forming a district can lead to assessments on included properties.

Clearer notices and cost details for districts

Before creating a district, the county issues a resolution of intention and gives notice. Notices must describe the work, name the public improvements to be built or maintained, give an estimated cost, and explain how costs will be assessed. If assessments could be recalculated or a revolving fund is pledged to back bonds, the notice must say so. If buying an existing improvement, the exact purchase price must be listed.

Counties can form maintenance districts with owner waivers

County commissioners can create rural improvement districts to maintain existing public improvements, not just build them. If every property owner in the proposed area waives the right to protest, the board can create the district without a petition. Properties inside a created district can be charged assessments to fund the work.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Alanah Griffith

    Democrat • House

Cosponsors

  • Dave Fern

    Democrat • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 268 • No: 29

Senate vote • 3/20/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 37 • No: 13

Senate 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: 98 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    4/7/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    4/7/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/1/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    4/1/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    3/28/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    3/21/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    3/20/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading

    3/20/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading

    3/19/2025Senate

  10. Committee Report

    3/18/2025Senate

  11. Committee Executive Action

    3/17/2025Senate

  12. Hearing

    2/19/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Committee

    2/11/2025Senate

  14. 1st Reading

    1/28/2025Senate

  15. Transmitted to Senate

    1/27/2025House

  16. 3rd Reading

    1/27/2025House

  17. 2nd Reading

    1/24/2025House

  18. Committee Report

    1/22/2025House

  19. Committee Executive Action

    1/22/2025House

  20. Committee Executive Action

    1/21/2025House

  21. Hearing

    1/14/2025House

  22. 1st Reading

    1/10/2025House

  23. Referred to Committee

    1/10/2025House

  24. Introduced

    1/9/2025House

Bill Text

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    3/20/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    3/20/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/9/2025

    PDF

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