Representative Russ Minor told the House Taxation Committee that House Bill 90 would amend Montana Code to explicitly clarify that all locally assessed real property is valued on a two-year reappraisal cycle. The change would codify current department practice and remove ambiguity about properties that are locally assessed but fall into other property classes.

Paula Gilbert, administrator of the Department of Revenue Property Assessment Division, told the committee that the department has long valued locally assessed real property on a two-year cycle and that the statute change would simply make that explicit. “This is how the department has always valued locally assessed real property,” Gilbert said, adding the bulk of locally assessed property is class 4 residential, commercial and industrial property but other classes that are locally assessed should be covered by the statute.

Supporters included the Montana Taxpayers Association and representatives of large taxpayers. Bob Story of the Montana Taxpayers Association said increasing the amount of property on a two-year cycle reduces timing mismatches in valuation changes. Krista Lee Evans of Calumet and Montana Renewables said a two-year cycle “provides certainty into our assessed values, reduces tax compliance costs, minimizes the frequency of disputes, and also reduces the amount of taxes that are paid in protest.” John Allen, lead industrial appraiser with the DOR, was present as an informational witness.

No opponents were recorded in the hearing. Representative Minor asked the committee to forward HB90 to the House floor.