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MontanaSB 10169th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET

Revise laws related to squatting

Sponsored By: Becky Beard (Republican)

Became Law

PropertyCrimes

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Penalties for fake listings and damage

Listing or advertising property for sale or rent without legal title or authority is a crime. A conviction brings at least a $1,000 fine or at least 6 months in county jail, or both. Using fake papers to claim a right to live on a property is forgery and carries state forgery penalties. If a squatter intentionally damages the property, it is criminal mischief and carries state penalties.

Faster squatter removal and rent payback

The law makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly move into and live on someone else’s property without consent. Courts order the person to pay fair‑market rent for the time they stayed. Police can remove squatters and other unauthorized people right away. Authorization can be a written lease, landlord permission, or a tenant’s verified OK for a guest; verbal OK counts only if the right person confirms it. Owners or their agents can ask police to remove the person and to stand by during lock changes and removal of the person’s belongings. Officers get legal protection for good‑faith actions, and owners who knowingly give false information must cover any damages against the police.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Becky Beard

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 258 • No: 139

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 35 • No: 15

Senate vote • 3/31/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 37 • No: 13

Senate vote • 3/27/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 58 • No: 41

Senate vote • 3/26/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 58 • No: 41

Senate vote • 1/24/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 35 • No: 14

Senate vote • 1/23/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 35 • No: 15

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    4/18/2025Senate

  2. Signed by Governor

    4/17/2025Senate

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/8/2025Senate

  4. Signed by Speaker

    4/8/2025House

  5. Signed by President

    4/7/2025Senate

  6. Fiscal Note Printed

    4/2/2025Senate

  7. Returned from Enrolling

    4/2/2025Senate

  8. Sent to Enrolling

    4/1/2025Senate

  9. 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House

    4/1/2025Senate

  10. Fiscal Note Signed

    4/1/2025Senate

  11. Fiscal Note Received

    4/1/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading House Amendments Concurred

    3/31/2025Senate

  13. Returned to Senate with Amendments

    3/27/2025House

  14. 3rd Reading Concurred

    3/27/2025House

  15. 2nd Reading Concurred

    3/26/2025House

  16. Committee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended

    3/21/2025House

  17. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended

    3/21/2025House

  18. Hearing

    2/3/2025House

  19. Rereferred to Committee

    1/31/2025House

  20. First Reading

    1/27/2025House

  21. Referred to Committee

    1/27/2025House

  22. Transmitted to House

    1/27/2025Senate

  23. 3rd Reading Passed

    1/24/2025Senate

  24. 2nd Reading Passed

    1/23/2025Senate

  25. Committee Report--Bill Passed

    1/22/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    3/21/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/6/2025

    PDF

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