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Senate committee hears bill to remove MEPA checklist for subdivisions; sponsors say it will speed housing
Summary
Senators heard testimony on SB 262, which would exempt certain subdivisions from the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) checklist attached to DEQ subdivision approvals. Sponsors say the change would cut time and cost and encourage density; environmental groups and DEQ warned it could reduce cumulative-impact review and carry litigation risk.
Senators on the Senate Local Government Committee on Friday heard testimony on Senate Bill 262, introduced by Senator Mandeville, which would remove the MEPA checklist requirement from subdivision approvals while leaving county permitting and DEQ technical reviews intact.
Supporters, including the Montana League of Cities and Towns and the Montana Building Industry Association, told the committee the change would streamline reviews that add time and cost without altering certificate-of-subdivision-approval (COSA) outcomes. "It does not eliminate all review from a subdivision," the sponsor said, adding that DEQ oversight, septic permitting and local reviews would remain in place. Kelly Lynch,…
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