The bill establishes a framework for creating County Road Maintenance Districts in Montana, allowing county commissioners to form such districts upon receiving a petition from at least 66% of property owners within the proposed area. The bill outlines the necessary steps for petitioning, including the requirement for a maintenance plan that specifies district boundaries, road miles to be maintained, and the assessment methods for maintenance costs. Additionally, it mandates that the county commissioners hold a public hearing before finalizing the creation of the district and prohibits them from denying or conditioning the petition.

Furthermore, the bill amends Section 15-10-420 of the Montana Code Annotated to require that property taxes assessed in counties with a road maintenance district be reduced by the total amount assessed for maintenance costs. This ensures that the funding for the district does not lead to an increase in overall property taxes for residents. The governing board of the district is also empowered to prepare an annual budget and enter into contracts for maintenance services, thereby streamlining the process for road upkeep in areas where the county has previously ceased maintenance.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 15-10-420
HB0369_1(1): 15-10-420
HB0369_1: 15-10-420