Senate Bill No. introduced by J. Trebas aims to revise the appraisal process for centrally assessed property in Montana. The bill amends Section 15-23-102 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to establish a procedure for situations where the Department of Revenue and the property owner cannot agree on hiring a particular independent appraiser. Under the new provisions, if an agreement cannot be reached, the department is required to select a qualified independent appraiser and cover the costs of the appraisal. The department will then consider the appraisal results, with the option to accept or modify them, and must provide the property owner with a copy of the appraisal prior to any modifications.

Additionally, the bill includes a delayed effective date, stating that it will take effect on January 1, 2026, and will apply to property tax years beginning after December 31, 2025. This legislative change aims to streamline the appraisal process and ensure transparency and fairness in property assessments.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 15-23-102
SB0397_1(1): 15-23-102
SB0397_1: 15-23-102