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MontanaHB 8769th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revising taxation of lands owned by department of fish, wildlife, and parks

Sponsored By: Sherry Essmann (Republican)

Became Law

Fish and WildlifeTaxation (Generally)Taxation--PropertyState FinanceState GovernmentState LandsRevenue, State

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Counties get payments for state wildlife lands

Each year, the Department of Revenue assesses land owned by Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Counties can request a payment equal to the property tax a private owner would owe on those parcels. By November 30, the county treasurer lists each parcel and acres and sends the request. The revenue director approves or denies it, and the Department of Administration pays the county from Fish, Wildlife and Parks funds. State property stays tax-exempt, but this rule applies to these lands. No payment goes to a county if its pre‑May 10, 2009 FWP land totals under 100 acres, or for pre‑May 10, 2009 land used for game or bird farms, fish hatcheries, or managed under Title 23, chapter 1. All FWP land bought after May 10, 2009 follows this process. Payments are statutorily appropriated under 17-7-502. The law is in effect now and applies to property tax years that begin after December 31, 2024.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Sherry Essmann

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Greg Hertz

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 293 • No: 0

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 0

House vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 0

House vote • 1/27/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote • 1/21/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/8/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/5/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/25/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    4/25/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/24/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/16/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/11/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/11/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading Concurred

    4/10/2025Senate

  10. Committee Report--Bill Concurred

    4/4/2025Senate

  11. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred

    4/2/2025Senate

  12. Hearing

    2/21/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Committee

    2/13/2025Senate

  14. First Reading

    1/28/2025Senate

  15. Transmitted to Senate

    1/27/2025House

  16. 3rd Reading Passed

    1/27/2025House

  17. Committee Report--Bill Passed

    1/24/2025House

  18. Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed

    1/23/2025House

  19. Revised Fiscal Note Printed

    1/22/2025House

  20. Fiscal Note Unsigned

    1/21/2025House

  21. Hearing

    1/21/2025House

  22. Rereferred to Committee

    1/21/2025House

  23. 2nd Reading Passed

    1/21/2025House

  24. Revised Fiscal Note Received

    1/21/2025House

  25. 2nd Reading Pass Consideration

    1/20/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    1/14/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    12/16/2024

    PDF

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