All Roll Calls
Yes: 494 • No: 0
MontanaHB 39469th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET
Revise local government public notice and resolution requirements
Sponsored By: Larry Brewster (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Local GovernmentCities and TownsCity OfficersCounties
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Minimum 75% maintenance charge in districts
For maintenance districts, the council must estimate yearly costs by the first Thursday after the first Tuesday in September. It must adopt the annual assessment resolution before the first Monday in October. Properties in the district must be charged at least 75% of the total maintenance cost. Notices for installation and special assessments now use standard publication rules, and the old 5‑day wait after final publication is removed, so hearings may happen sooner.
Faster subdivision reviews in planned areas
In incorporated cities and towns, qualifying projects get expedited review, even if local code has not been updated. If your application meets the statutory criteria, you can request expedited review regardless of lot count. These applications do not need an environmental assessment and skip some review criteria. The governing body must hold a hearing and decide within 35 working days, or 45 days with a variance request. Local governments cannot pass rules that block the expedited path. Outside city limits, expedited review is allowed only if the county commissioners vote to allow it. Hearings for expedited cases follow the standard city or county notice rules.
Advance notice before utility rate hikes
Cities must publish notice of utility rate hearings and mail customers a notice 7–30 days before the hearing. The mailed notice must include an estimate of how much the average bill will go up. This improves transparency before rate changes take effect.
Standard city and county notice rules
The law standardizes how cities and counties publish public notices. Two publications are required. The first must be at least 5 business days before the hearing, or 15 business days if another law requires more time. Small towns without a qualifying newspaper may post in three public places, and one place may be the town’s active website. Newspapers must file a yearly sworn circulation statement. If a paper fails to run the second notice, timely postings in three public places and on the city website (at least 6 days before) keep the notice valid.
Clearer notices for zoning and plats
Growth policy, zoning, and subdivision hearings now follow the same standard notice rules. Zoning changes cannot take effect until after a noticed public hearing. Interim zoning hearings also use the standard notice method. Before adopting subdivision regulations, the local government must hold a noticed hearing. For subdivision applications, the subdivider and adjoining owners must get registered or certified mail, postmarked at least 15 business days before the hearing.
Local hearing before affordable housing tax break
Before a local government applies for a property tax exemption for qualifying low‑income rental housing, it must publish notice under the standard rules. It must hold a public hearing to gather comments on whether the project meets a community housing need. The record of that hearing goes to the state board of housing.
Public input on big rental projects
Before adopting rules for developments with four or more rental buildings, the government must allow a public hearing and comment. Counties must publish notice and also post in at least five public places at least 30 days before the hearing. Cities must publish notice under the standard city rule. The governing body must address public comments before it adopts the rules.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Larry Brewster
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/15/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 97 • No: 0
House vote • 4/14/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 100 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/7/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 49 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/5/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 49 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 99 • No: 0
House vote • 2/22/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 100 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/5/2025HouseSigned by Governor
5/1/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
4/22/2025HouseSigned by President
4/22/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
4/18/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
4/15/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
4/15/2025House3rd Reading Senate Amendments
4/15/2025House2nd Reading Senate Amendments
4/14/2025HouseReturned to House with Amendments
4/7/2025Senate3rd Reading
4/7/2025Senate2nd Reading
4/5/2025SenateCommittee Report
4/1/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action
3/31/2025SenateHearing
3/16/2025SenateReferred to Committee
3/3/2025SenateTransmitted to Senate
2/24/2025House3rd Reading
2/24/2025House2nd Reading
2/22/2025HouseCommittee Report
2/19/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action
2/18/2025HouseHearing
2/10/2025House1st Reading
2/6/2025HouseReferred to Committee
2/6/2025HouseIntroduced
2/5/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/15/2025
As Amended (Version 3)
4/1/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
2/19/2025
Introduced
2/5/2025
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