Bill would restore lesseerights for longstanding cabins on state trust lands

Sen. Laura Smith introduced Senate Bill 500 to restore a prior process that lets longtime lessees of state trust cabin or home sites match the highest bid when the state solicits those leases for sale.

Smith said the bill would return the sale process to how it operated previously and protect "legacy family" cabins that have been in families for generations. "That's why I call this bill the Montana Family Legacy Cabin Act," she said.

The sponsor said the bill responds to people who worry they could be "priced out" of land where they have lived and improved a cabin, and said she believes the current statute may discourage lessees from entering the voluntary sale program.

Opponents emphasized the State Land Board's fiduciary duty…