House Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to revise the Montana Residential Mobile Home Lot Rental Act by establishing a Montana Mobile Home Park Dispute Resolution Program, which will be managed by the Department of Commerce. The bill requires the department to create and distribute educational materials on landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities, and it allows for the filing of complaints against landlords or tenants. It outlines a comprehensive dispute resolution process that includes investigations, negotiations, and the potential for fines or penalties for violations. Additionally, the bill mandates the registration of mobile home parks, the collection of fees, and the establishment of a mobile home park dispute resolution account to support the program.

Key amendments to existing law include updates to Section 70-33-103 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), which introduces new definitions to clarify landlord-tenant relationships. Notable insertions include the definitions of "complainant," which now includes individuals authorized to act on behalf of landlords or tenants, and "eligible organization," which encompasses local governments and nonprofit housing assistance organizations. The bill also introduces the term "resident association" to define a formal organization of tenants in a mobile home park. These changes aim to enhance clarity and provide better protections for both landlords and tenants, while also ensuring consistency in terminology throughout the legal framework.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 17-7-502, 70-33-103
HB0305_1(1): 17-7-502, 70-33-103
HB0305_1(2): 17-7-502, 70-33-103
HB0305_1(3): 17-7-502, 70-33-103
HB0305_1: 17-7-502, 70-33-103