Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] proposes significant revisions to the regulations governing conservation easements in Montana. The bill limits the duration of conservation easements to a maximum of 40 years, while also ensuring that agricultural activities on the land are not prohibited or restricted. Additionally, it prohibits the conversion of land under easement to federal control. The bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated, including definitions and purposes related to conservation easements, and establishes that easements may not be granted in perpetuity but rather for a term of years, specifically between 15 and 40 years.

The bill also includes provisions for the taxation of properties under conservation easements, ensuring that the assessed value of such properties is not less than their actual assessed value from 1973. It mandates that the value of interests held by public bodies or qualifying private organizations is exempt from property taxation. Furthermore, the bill requires notification to tribal governments and specifies that the new regulations will apply to conservation easements entered into on or after October 1, 2025.

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(3): 76-6-103, 76-6-104, 76-6-202, 76-6-203, 76-6-208
SB0209_1(4): 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