House Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to revise property tax laws in Montana, focusing on class four residential and commercial properties. The bill introduces a lower tax rate for certain owner-occupied residential properties and long-term rentals, as well as a reduced tax rate for a portion of commercial property value. Key provisions include eligibility and application requirements for property owners, an appeal process for denied applications, and definitions for terms such as "homestead reduced tax rate" and "long-term rental." Notably, the definition of "long-term rental" is adjusted to require a rental period of at least seven months instead of nine, and penalties for false applications are established. The Department of Revenue is granted rulemaking authority to implement these changes, which will take effect immediately upon passage.

Additionally, the bill amends various sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to create a new tax structure for class four residential properties, increasing the tax rate from 1.35% to 1.9% of market value, with specific rates based on property value relative to the median residential value. The county tax appeal boards are empowered to adjust assessments and determine eligibility for reduced tax rates, while the Department of Revenue is tasked with calculating median values every two years. The bill also mandates that the county treasurer provide detailed notices to taxpayers about their obligations and available assistance programs. Overall, the legislation aims to clarify the property tax assessment process, adjust tax rates to reflect current market conditions, and enhance communication with taxpayers.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(1): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(10): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(11): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(12): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(13): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(14): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(15): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(16): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(17): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(2): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(3): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(4): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(5): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(6): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(7): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(8): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(9): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1: 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(1): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(10): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(11): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(2): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(3): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(4): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(5): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(6): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(7): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(8): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(9): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2: 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_3(1): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_3(2): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_3(3): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_3(4): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_3(5): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_3(6): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_3(7): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_3: 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125