Panel reviews bill to bar county treasurers from selling residential tax deeds to foreign entities

Sen. Ken Bogner introduced Senate Bill 306 to the House Taxation Committee as a measure that would prohibit a county treasurer from selling a residential tax deed to a foreign entity. Bogner said his concern arose after inquiries in his district and argued the change would prevent foreign governments, political parties and banks from acquiring Montana residential property through tax‑lien sale processes.

Committee members asked for concrete examples and whether county treasurers had raised implementation concerns. Bogner said he was aware of inquiries in Fallon County but not of completed purchases. He told the committee the senate added an amendment to place affidavit responsibilities on bidders rather than on county treasurers. "We put that on just to make it so it wasn't on them to provide proof of where they were domiciled," the sponsor said.

Members asked how the bill treats investment vehicles such as real estate investment trusts with foreign shareholders; Bogner noted the bill's definition requires a principal place of business within the United States and said that answered concerns about shares owned by foreign entities. Representatives also clarified the measure would not apply to individual buyers.

Bogner told the committee SB 306 passed the Senate 50‑0 and closed by urging support, saying, "Montana's land should belong to those who live and work and invest in our communities, not foreign entities looking to turn a profit." The committee heard no proponents or opponents in person and had no informational witnesses; members focused their questions on drafting clarifications about affidavits, the bill's definitions and administrative burden.