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SB 550 would move some small multi‑county internet providers into a lower property‑tax class, sponsor says fairness requires change
Summary
Sen. Dave Fern told the committee SB 550 would change property‑tax classification for some small internet providers that operate across a limited number of counties, moving them into a lower class to avoid higher centrally assessed rates.
Senator Dave Fern presented Senate Bill 550 to address what he described as an inconsistent result for some small internet service providers that became centrally assessed and thus subject to higher property‑tax rates after expanding service into an adjacent county.
Fern said the bill would allow a company operating in a limited number of counties to be classed in Class 5 (a lower rate) rather than higher centralized classes, returning what he characterized as a fairness correction for small and medium local providers. He described a constituent example in which a locally based ISP that expanded service made limited investments and nevertheless moved into a higher centrally assessed class, increasing the apparent tax burden.
Rose Bender of the Montana Budget and Policy Center testified in opposition, saying local tax shifts and impacts on renters and homeowners should be considered. Department of Revenue staff (Doug Roehm and others) and representatives of the centrally assessed property unit answered procedural questions. Committee members asked sponsor about the scope and how many providers statewide might be affected; Fern said the number is small but that comparable providers in other areas may have similar situations. No committee final action on SB 550 is recorded in this transcript excerpt.
