Legislative Update 1/3/25

Hi Everyone!
It’s that time again! This morning, the MAP Legislative Committee met to evaluate the first bills of the 69th Montana Legislative Session.
For our new members, and those who have joined us in the past two years, here’s what you can expect: The Montana Legislature meets every two years, typically from January to early May. The MAP Legislative Committee tracks, formulates positions on, and testifies regarding bills for MAP, primarily focusing on Title 76, Chapters 1 through 3 of the Montana Code Annotated (M.C.A.).
We provide weekly updates via email blasts and maintain a bill tracker to keep you informed. If you have thoughts on a bill, feel free to reply to the email, and your input will be shared with the Committee. You can be as involved as you’d like!
Bills We Are Tracking
Currently, no bills have been introduced, so fingers crossed that we won’t have any hearings next week. However, we are evaluating three bills with draft text:

LC0014: Allowing for a streamlined public hearing notice process when revising zoning
This bill shortens the notice requirements for Part II zoning amendments. While it could benefit from some cleanup language, we are likely to support it.
Position: WATCH

LC0015: Providing that recreational vehicles and mobile homes are reviewed as B.L.R.
This bill proposes a significant change, moving mobile home parks and RV parks out of the MSPA and into the BLR statutes. For cities, this means these uses will be treated as uses under zoning regulations. For unzoned counties, BLR regulations will take over. We generally support this bill but plan to dive deeper to assess whether additional safeguards are needed.
Position: WATCH

LC0975: Creating the Private Property Protection Act
This bill is concerning. It restricts planning laws to address only “public health and safety” concerns, which undermines broader planning objectives.
Position: OPPOSED

Stay tuned for more updates as the session progresses!