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Montana Senate committee hears bill to require voter approval for judgment levies
Summary
Sen. Greg Hertz introduced SB 108 to bar local governments from placing judgment or settlement levies on property tax bills without voter approval. County officials warned the change could force cuts to services or large general-fund payouts if voters reject levies; the sponsor said he will consider amendments.
Senator Greg Hertz (Senate District 7) told the Senate Local Government Committee that Senate Bill 108 would bar local governing bodies from placing judgment levies or levies for settlements on property tax bills without first submitting the measure to voters. "Local governing bodies cannot do that without voter approval," Hertz said during his opening remarks, framing the bill as returning decision-making power to taxpayers and possibly improving the government's negotiating position in settlements.
Opponents — chiefly county and municipal officials — argued the change would hamper local governments' ability to satisfy court orders quickly and could produce severe budgetary stress. "Turning judgment levies…
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