Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Heated hearing on House Bill 714 over family-transfer exemption; counties urge preserving subdivision safeguards
Summary
House Bill 714 would revise rules for family-transfer exemptions from subdivision review, adding an affidavit and expanding the definition of "immediate family." Proponents said the bill brings consistency; counties, planners and environmental groups urged rejection or major fixes, saying it flips burden of proof and risks unreviewed development.
Representative Larry Brewster introduced House Bill 714 as a revision to Montana’s laws on divisions of land that are exempt from subdivision review. He told the committee the bill would require a standardized affidavit, allow public hearings in some cases, increase penalties for evasion and add other process clarifications.
"This bill ... revising laws related to division of land that are exempt from subdivision review," Representative Larry Brewster said in opening, adding the measure includes an affidavit form and increased penalties.
Proponents: uniformity and fraud safeguards
Several proponents told the committee the bill would provide predictable rules and reduce gaming of the family-transfer exemption. Daniel Cox, representing the Montana Association of Realtors, said, "We strongly support House Bill 7 14 because it brings consistency and accountability to land transactions." Mark Taylor, an attorney working pro bono on the measure, described sponsor amendments that he said were intended to align the measure with prior attorney-general guidance and to create a uniform affidavit.
Opponents: reversal of burden and local…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
