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Senate committee hears bill to clarify tax treatment for data‑center communications infrastructure
Summary
Sen. Becky Beard told the Senate Tax Committee that SB 540 would clarify how property used by qualified data centers is assessed, especially local dedicated communications infrastructure; proponents said the change would boost certainty for investors, opponents warned of local tax shifts.
Senator Becky Beard, sponsor of Senate Bill 540, told the Senate Tax Committee the bill clarifies how property used by qualified data centers is classified for property tax purposes and aims to make Montana more competitive in attracting data‑center investment.
The bill draws a line around “locally dedicated communications infrastructure” — copper, fiber, microwave and satellite links — and says that such infrastructure that lies entirely within a single county and within the external boundaries of a data center should be locally assessed as part of the qualified data center. Beard said the change removes uncertainty that can deter potential projects.
Proponents at the hearing…
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