Senate Joint Resolution No. 44, introduced by G. Hertz, requests an interim study of affordable housing in Montana, emphasizing the need to evaluate the effectiveness of various local, state, and federal housing programs. The resolution calls for the Legislative Council to designate an appropriate interim committee or allocate staff resources to conduct a comprehensive analysis. This includes assessing whether government programs increase construction costs for affordable housing compared to nonsubsidized projects, preparing a cost-benefit analysis of state programs aimed at incentivizing affordable housing development, reviewing housing choice voucher programs, and identifying successful programs that have effectively reduced housing costs in Montana.

The resolution also mandates that the committee engage with relevant stakeholders, including the Department of Commerce, the Board of Housing, and private developers, to gather insights and data for the study. All findings and conclusions must be presented to a designated committee before September 15, 2026, with the final results reported to the 70th Legislature. This initiative reflects the Montana Legislature's commitment to addressing affordable housing challenges and improving housing strategies within the state.