Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] proposes significant revisions to the regulations surrounding conservation easements in Montana. The bill limits the duration of conservation easements to a maximum of 40 years, while also ensuring that these easements cannot prohibit or limit agricultural activities on land that has been used for such purposes within the past decade. Additionally, the bill prohibits the conversion of land under easement to federal control. It amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), including definitions and purposes related to conservation easements, and clarifies that easements can be granted for a term of not less than 15 years and no more than 40 years.

The bill also includes provisions for the taxation of properties under conservation easements, ensuring that the assessed value of such properties cannot be reduced solely due to the easement. It mandates that the secretary of state notify federally recognized tribal governments in Montana about the new regulations and specifies that the act will apply to conservation easements entered into on or after October 1, 2025. The revisions aim to balance the preservation of land with the rights of landowners, particularly in relation to agricultural activities and federal control.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 76-6-103, 76-6-104, 76-6-202, 76-6-203, 76-6-208
SB0209_1(1): 76-6-103, 76-6-104, 76-6-202, 76-6-203, 76-6-208
SB0209_1(2): 76-6-103, 76-6-104, 76-6-202, 76-6-203, 76-6-208
SB0209_1: 76-6-103, 76-6-104, 76-6-202, 76-6-203, 76-6-208