Senate Bill 534 amends property tax abatement laws in Montana to expand tax exemptions for communication and internet infrastructure, specifically including fiber optic, coaxial cables, and wireless infrastructure. The bill introduces a five-year tax exemption for qualifying installations placed in service after specified dates, with a gradual phase-out over ten years. Property owners must reinvest their tax savings into new installations within two years and are prohibited from passing these costs onto consumers. Additionally, the bill requires property owners to maintain adequate records of their investments, which must be available for inspection by the relevant department.

The legislation also establishes definitions and requirements for certification of air and water pollution control and carbon capture equipment, detailing conditions under which tax exemptions may be terminated or recaptured if compliance is not met. To enhance communication, the bill mandates the creation of a dedicated webpage for owners of the infrastructure to notify local jurisdictions of their projects, allowing local governments to provide feedback. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply to all qualifying infrastructure placed in service after that date.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_1(1): 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_1(2): 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_1(3): 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_1(4): 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_1(5): 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_1(6): 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_1(7): 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_1(8): 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_1(9): 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_1: 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_X(1): 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_X(10): 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_X(2): 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_X(3): 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_X(4): 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_X(5): 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_X(6): 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_X(7): 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_X(8): 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_X(9): 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243
SB0534_X: 15-6-135, 15-6-156, 15-6-219, 15-6-243