Senate Bill 534 amends property tax abatement laws in Montana to expand tax exemptions for communication and internet infrastructure, specifically including wireless infrastructure alongside fiber optic and coaxial cables. The bill introduces a five-year tax exemption for qualifying installations placed in service after a specified date, with a gradual phase-out over ten years. Property owners must reinvest their tax savings into new installations within Montana and maintain adequate records of their investments, which must be available for inspection. If the department finds non-compliance with installation requirements, the tax exemption may be terminated or recaptured, allowing local governing bodies to reclaim previously exempted taxes along with interest and penalties. Furthermore, the bill requires the establishment of a dedicated webpage by the department to enhance communication between owners of the exempted infrastructures and local governing bodies. This platform will facilitate notifications of new projects and allow local governments to provide feedback on these initiatives. The provisions of the bill are set to take effect on July 1, 2025, applying to all qualifying infrastructure placed in service on or 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