Senate committee hears competing views on family-transfer bill; SB 477 tabled

Senator Theresa Manzella, sponsor of Senate Bill 477, told the Senate Local Government committee the measure seeks to tighten Montana’s family-transfer exemption to subdivision review and to standardize an affidavit so applicants must certify that a transfer is not intended to evade subdivision rules. “Our coveted family transfer,” Manzella said, adding that she has used the provision herself and that the bill is intended to protect neighbors and infrastructure.

Proponents led by Alan Macki of the SAFIRE Coalition and local residents described cases in Ravalli and other counties where they said a large share of new lots have been created through family transfer and sometimes without adequate review of water availability or infrastructure. Macki said the bill would “require a public meeting and…