Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to provide property tax assistance for primary residences in Montana, funded through lodging and rental car tax revenues. The bill requires counties to distribute this assistance as a credit on property tax bills for certified primary residences, with the Department of Revenue overseeing the certification process. It introduces penalties for false applications and establishes an appeals process for denied certifications, along with a new definition of "primary residence" and rulemaking authority for the Department of Revenue. The bill also amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), eliminating certain reporting requirements and repealing a specific section related to property tax assistance, while clarifying that the assistance will not affect the maximum mill calculation.

Additionally, the bill modifies procedures for property tax assessments and appeals, ensuring transparency by requiring written explanations if the Department of Revenue does not use a taxpayer's appraisal during an appeal. It also outlines the process for appealing to the county tax appeal board and the Montana tax appeal board. The bill introduces new provisions for calculating mill levies, allowing governmental entities to impose levies based on prior year assessments plus half of the average inflation rate. It enhances notification processes for property tax payments and tax lien attachments, ensuring taxpayers receive detailed information about their obligations and available assistance programs. The bill reallocates tax proceeds from sales tax and use tax, directing a significant portion to the state property tax assistance account, and includes a transition provision for the first distribution to counties by August 31, 2026.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_1(1): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_1(2): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_1(3): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_1(4): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_1(5): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_1(6): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_1(7): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_1: 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_2(1): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_2(10): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_2(11): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_2(12): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_2(13): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_2(14): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_2(15): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_2(16): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_2(17): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_2(18): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_2(19): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_2(2): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_2(3): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_2(4): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_2(5): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_2(6): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_2(7): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_2(8): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_2(9): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_2: 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_3(1): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_3(10): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_3(11): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_3(12): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_3(2): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_3(3): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_3(4): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_3(5): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_3(6): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_3(7): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_3(8): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_3(9): 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506
SB0090_3: 15-7-102, 15-10-420, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307, 44-4-1506