Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to revise the property taxation framework for Class 17 property, particularly focusing on dedicated communications infrastructure associated with qualified data centers. The bill introduces new definitions and provisions for local assessment of this infrastructure while eliminating previous requirements that certain property values remain subject to Class 17 property taxation. Key changes include extending the construction commencement deadline for dedicated communications infrastructure from June 30, 2027, to June 30, 2037, and incorporating local dedicated communications infrastructure into the definition of Class 17 property. The bill also mandates that property owners report the installed costs of qualified data center property annually by March 1.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 15-23-101 of the Montana Code Annotated to update valuation cycles for centrally assessed properties, including telecommunications infrastructure, which will now be assessed annually or biennially. It removes the requirement for the department to locally assess qualified data centers and dedicated communications infrastructure, classifying them as Class 17 property. The bill also introduces coordination instructions for potential conflicts with House Bill No. 424, outlines definitions and classifications for Class 13 and Class 17 properties, and establishes reporting requirements for property owners. Furthermore, it defines necessary infrastructure for qualified data centers and includes a retroactive applicability clause for property tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, ensuring the new regulations impact assessments from that date.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_1(1): 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_1(2): 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_1(3): 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_1(4): 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_1(5): 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_1: 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_2(1): 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_2(10): 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_2(11): 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_2(12): 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_2(13): 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_2(14): 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_2(2): 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_2(3): 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_2(4): 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_2(5): 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_2(6): 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_2(7): 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_2(8): 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_2(9): 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_2: 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101
SB0540_3: 15-6-156, 15-6-162, 15-23-101