[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6299649,"mediaKeyId","2495930-4cfd6e0ad185f60126285379dd541a6b","parentId",2495930,"title","Committee tables bill to protect owners’ ability to rent primary residences after long debate","audioSeconds",1879,"startMs",3877000,"endMs",5756000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2495930-4cfd6e0ad185f60126285379dd541a6b&start=3877&end=5756","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2495930-4cfd6e0ad185f60126285379dd541a6b/thumbnail_3877000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6299649/Montana/Committee-tables-bill-to-protect-owners-ability-to-rent-primary-residences-after-long-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299649-c8ecae77b9aa1b3e1edf95695f177b9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763409&Signature=l4pXGXDB8u4g58fsW2moh6wqt5c3YRvcDJ1gPyHxYrM0xgsbLSPerK6zh4tD~F3yKOisFMOOstzEZxCwVQHzhaxgBw2ToXdfpDsUW9B762XJcHVwx0c7CATDJr20yh8KviJ2UG8R4ATLZn1vcs-xwXYB8GhD0El6mILFIkt2ViRnd3qpt2CPyHsQqqSrGfFt5KAWazmxfnOIPUry1EfjuRC3~GXoM4p4zZQywzTiNNYZVlDSTOwweetV55~tiumKYBSkD4Rjsajw2jrMuSJJNTtAYZp4X8XKwgfRiV1aaUbq6iaefdHp4wwmPwHYMTWdJ3ORvjY4FbwtDuDfNr7BOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Shannon Maness introduced House Bill 8 02 to clarify that the rental of a primary residence or an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on the same lot or on an adjacent lot the owner also owns is a permissible use under county and municipal zoning.

Representative Maness said the bill focuses narrowly on owner‑occupied primary residences and ADUs, establishing a statutory definition of primary residence (the bill text refers to demonstrated occupancy for 183 days per year) and protecting an owner’s ability to rent that primary residence for any duration. He said the bill does not target out‑of‑state investors or investment properties; rather it aims to preserve property owners’ ability to earn supplemental income from renting a dwelling they occupy.

Supporters filled the hearing room and the online queue. Witnesses included homeowners, small business owners, the Montana Landlord Association, the Montana Association of Realtors, and the Helena Landlord Chapter. Proponents described renting primary residences and ADUs as a critical tool to pay mortgages, property taxes, insurance, and to keep homes — citing personal examples of families who rely on rental income to remain in their homes. Several proponents urged protection of property rights and urged the committee to approve the bill.

Opponents included the Montana League of Cities and Towns, the Montana Association of Counties, Shelter Whitefish, and the Montana Association of Planners. Kelly Lynch of the League noted that similar provisions are the subject of Senate Bill 336, which has been negotiated among stakeholders (including short‑term rental platforms, hospitality groups and municipalities) and already advanced in the Senate. Opponents warned that the House bill duplicates SB 336 and would preempt local zoning decisions, undermining locally calibrated approaches to where short‑term rentals are allowed. Shelter Whitefish testified that short‑term rentals can reduce long‑term rental supply and increase rents in tight housing markets; the Montana Association of Counties and municipal groups urged patience and reconciliation with SB 336 to avoid conflicting statutes.

During executive action the committee considered a substitute motion to table; committee leaders and association counsel urged tabling to allow the Senate bill work to proceed and to avoid duplicative or conflicting statutes. The substitute motion to table passed on a voice vote and the bill was tabled.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 8 02 — outcome: tabled by committee (substitute motion to table; voice vote).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Local Government - Mar 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 8 02, which would make rental of an owner’s primary residence and certain accessory dwelling units a permissible use not subject to local bans, generated extensive testimony from homeowners and opponents worried about housing supply and local control; the committee tabled the measure.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6299654,"Representative’s proposal to redirect lodging/gas tax revenue for gateway roads draws opposition; bill tabled",2783,2937000,5720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2495930-4cfd6e0ad185f60126285379dd541a6b&start=2937&end=5720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2495930-4cfd6e0ad185f60126285379dd541a6b/thumbnail_2937000.jpg","/articles/6299654/Montana/Representatives-proposal-to-redirect-lodginggas-tax-revenue-for-gateway-roads-draws-opposition-bill-tabled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299654-664d5e818a5179c85edf5e1ada2a99c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763409&Signature=KzSwJEGuDF18NO9wtPOkgoN1WPL1F3j8rrYHZoGm4OvPeutFDzhl8CXhAnx1G2hUV4~ISi0voJPl-jK0K3ljJZiLDFNeDxVz83vvHxjYkqKXDtakWjZWKMXkwo4RuSwqUiHFClyVgPmhYci77vsUJ2cP6ND0MJXKzdMnmu9H8WnBZZCUSpUILNUa5fD4nPLSbZGx9paHCA2xB2iM~pLy9iBga0LgCVbFf2aaKZvi1Cv73qlleEEbOFNPoqJUf6w0juOT484VcL00QGXULmaeEz8HjcKX-H0LQGTHMiIdJUE4~3My6fO4drIN5GWQEKld98KrjilOEIgPYDKj1WAcYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Scott Rosenzweig presented a conceptual bill (House Bill 7 84) aimed at better aligning transportation funding with tourism‑driven road use in gateway communities. He told the committee that some counties hosting large numbers of out‑of‑county visitors — citing Park County and Yellowstone entrances — bear high traffic and service costs but receive a small share of existing gas‑tax and lodging tax distributions.

Rosenzweig discussed vehicle miles traveled and lodging taxes as potential data sources to rebalance distribution and said local receipts are small compared with the scale of tourism: he described county gas‑tax distributions to counties as “$16,000,000 for counties” in total (as presented) and a Park County example receiving “about $260,000” under current formulas. He said lodging tax collections statewide were on the order of $120,000,000 (as stated in testimony) and argued that gateway counties shoulder disproportionate maintenance and service burdens from tourists.

Opponents included the Montana Department of Transportation staff (testimony noting concerns about overall transportation funding), the Montana Association of Counties, the Montana Oil, Coal and Gas Counties, and municipal and county associations. Jason Riddle of the Montana Association of Counties told the committee the formula for distribution “seems to work” and that the central problem is the overall amount of funding rather than the allocation formula. Southwest and other county association representatives warned the committee that slicing the same funding pie differently would produce winners and losers.

Multiple witnesses urged a broader discussion about increasing overall transportation revenue — including indexing or incremental fuel tax approaches — rather than diverting lodging or existing highway funds. Several opponents said the bill as presented would create winners and losers across counties and urged the committee to table it for more study.

The committee agreed and tabled House Bill 7 84 on a voice vote during executive action.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 7 84 — outcome: tabled by committee (voice vote).","Representative Scott Rosenzweig outlined a plan to reallocate some state lodging and gas tax revenues to better support gateway tourism communities’ road needs; stakeholders and associations opposed the idea and the committee tabled the bill.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6299659,"Committee tables bill that would make conservation‑district placement on county planning boards optional",4530,1144000,5674000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2495930-4cfd6e0ad185f60126285379dd541a6b&start=1144&end=5674","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2495930-4cfd6e0ad185f60126285379dd541a6b/thumbnail_1144000.jpg","/articles/6299659/Montana/Committee-tables-bill-that-would-make-conservationdistrict-placement-on-county-planning-boards-optional","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299659-fcf4f0bdf1983186d9339e150d25e4a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763409&Signature=nkHpLRh6rlcny87tMpYT9Z1QZvXT3EHmYgmNughYPduaqUMmCfL7pJvav6YViOOKc2Clw5iHTUNo03aTz8TQ5vDoM21YOrbCPmx0v8BLdo5i8Oky5NUv0FewzXw2B9-jIkSSC07zYey1yFpzFFuT6u3OzlfiQYh3EdmSKxKRQJXZvzVW8sg7KHvZOBorRA34IOouqxvSLRm4IX4v~FwzEBX2kKnnvFMh-O~~olmJO1vMOCzFsKU~JX1HhfVL2rgHF3euo~ZM0aHskLvv5GrzvWan58q9heFCjfPNRQWoAFYxHmVzUBsuqnd~KYK2DW2y69vawFq9c3b~S0pUoSe52Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Steve Kelly introduced House Bill 7 82 to the House Local Government Committee, saying the bill is a “cleanup” requested by county commissioners to allow county governments discretion to appoint a conservation district representative to county planning boards rather than require one by law.

The sponsor told the committee the change swaps the word must to may so conservation district membership on planning boards would be optional. He and several county officials said the optional language would let counties ensure a full planning board membership and treat conservation districts the same as other agencies that receive notice and comment during land‑use review.

Flathead County Commissioner Randy Bridal and Flathead County Planning Board Chair Jeff Larsen testified in favor, saying vacancy problems and board‑quorum issues have made strict membership requirements difficult in some counties. Commissioner Pam Holmquist and other county proponents said the change is about local flexibility and does not remove conservation districts’ authority to comment on land‑use projects.

Opponents were numerous and included Rebecca Boslow King, executive director of the Montana Association of Conservation Districts, who said conservation districts are legislatively mandated local soil and water authorities and that “every county in the state has a conservation district.” Boslow King and other opponents urged the committee not to adopt a statewide response to what they described as an isolated local dispute. Other opponents included Jeff Ryan of the Lewis and Clark Conservation District, Dean Rogge (Montana Association of Conservation Districts), and multiple conservation district supervisors and resource staff. They argued that conservation districts are locally elected entities with statutory duties (testimony referenced Montana conservation‑district enabling language) and that removing a required seat would sever an important channel for locally elected resource‑focused officials to influence planning decisions.

Representative Kelly defended the proposal as a county‑driven request and said commissioners should have discretion over planning board composition; he urged the committee to allow local control to appoint full boards.

During executive action, a substitute motion to table the bill passed on a roll call. Committee disclosure shows the substitute motion to table received 14 ayes and 3 noes; the clerk recorded the motion as carried and the bill was tabled.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 7 82 — outcome: tabled by committee (substitute motion to table; roll call 14 ayes, 3 noes).","House Bill 7 82, which would change statutory language from \"must\" to \"may\" regarding conservation‑district members on county planning boards, drew sharp opposition from conservation districts and was tabled by the committee.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6299663,"House panel advances bill letting counties initiate urban transit districts, relaxes 8‑mile municipal bus limit",5196,340000,5536000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2495930-4cfd6e0ad185f60126285379dd541a6b&start=340&end=5536","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2495930-4cfd6e0ad185f60126285379dd541a6b/thumbnail_340000.jpg","/articles/6299663/Montana/House-panel-advances-bill-letting-counties-initiate-urban-transit-districts-relaxes-8mile-municipal-bus-limit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299663-41aef9950ab61773d7072d41c9c80b6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763409&Signature=TbhXi45pg0SimQOaMDT6ElDcGJzwsdrEGAXX-sBHyx1LpsBkiIz~XJK5tthHKYCuo7lJyLfSHYywAdNt-m77pfXeAHw-pjEXfj-X5ucg0eTY3g2me6bGxYFBjov3PjxQOGE6iqSXjDtm-HCPxQNSm4B9sanElevUGx~0vS9JVnWAqJnLW32FeAU9lzo9~Z7IIghtIGYot9Pe2VeJXvOfBpiqytu6T0gw1oIeuexLnCAyxKOsjQV7hVx7QxWdUh3v1pkJtfLjP~XLO9~iijqdIsmBSqQ3zItNj4rZFkqX05p5BWPSE9hwzrEOYUPJPm6xjbRh0zu3hcIO3x~9RrM0GA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Brian Close, sponsor of House Bill 7 64, told the House Local Government Committee the bill modernizes 50‑year‑old statutes governing public transit, letting counties initiate urban transportation districts and removing a narrow 8‑mile route cap on municipal bus companies where they can finance service.

The bill would preserve the current approval steps — boundary drawing and voter approval — but would allow a county commission to place a district formation question on the ballot without a citizen petition, a change proponents said would reduce the time and cost of qualifying a measure. Representative Close said the change is aimed at midsize communities that lack the resources to gather the high number of signatures currently required.

Matt Leo, representing the Human Resource Development Council in Bozeman and the Missoula Urban Transportation District (Mountain Line), described the signature drive to form a UTD in Gallatin County as “a huge effort,” saying petition drives to qualify a UTD can require gathering tens of thousands of signatures (Mr. Leo said his campaign gathered roughly 28,000 signatures to reach the threshold). He told the committee that counties placing a measure on the ballot by commission motion would follow the same public‑vote approvals and would ease the current burden on communities.

Proponent Laura Collins of the Montana Environmental Information Center said the bill “expands the opportunity for governing bodies to initiate these expansions to provide services that benefit the public,” arguing the change shifts the organizational burden from private citizens to local governments able to weigh costs and benefits.

Representative Close also highlighted the 8‑mile restriction for municipal bus companies, saying the 1975 statute limits municipal services from operating more than 8 miles beyond city limits and that removing that constraint would allow cities such as Butte or Billings to run routes farther if financing can be arranged through local agreements, grants, or other revenue.

The committee opened executive action on the bill and approved a motion that the bill “do pass.” Committee disclosure records show several members voted by proxy in favor of the motion. The committee’s recorded action on the bill was a voice vote that passed and the bill advanced from committee.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 7 64 — outcome: passed out of committee (do pass, voice vote; proxies recorded).","The House Local Government Committee voted to pass House Bill 7 64, which would let county commissions initiate urban transportation districts and allow municipal bus systems to run routes beyond an 8‑mile limit when they can finance service.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee tables bill to protect owners’ ability to rent primary residences after long debate

Representative’s proposal to redirect lodging/gas tax revenue for gateway roads draws opposition; bill tabled

Committee tables bill that would make conservation‑district placement on county planning boards optional

House panel advances bill letting counties initiate urban transit districts, relaxes 8‑mile municipal bus limit