House Bill No. introduced by T. Sharp and S. Gist allows counties in Montana to employ property appraisers for property tax purposes, contingent upon receiving written permission from the Department of Revenue. The bill mandates that these appraisers must be certified and utilize specific appraisal methods outlined in existing law. Additionally, the appraisers are required to submit their property appraisals to the Department of Revenue annually by July 1, and these appraisals must be used when certifying taxable values.

The bill also amends existing sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to include provisions that allow both the Department of Revenue and county appraisers to enter private property for appraisal or audit purposes. It establishes requirements for notifying landowners about their rights regarding property entry and appraisal, including the right to be present during the appraisal process. The amendments clarify the procedures for landowners to communicate their preferences and outline the consequences if access is denied. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the property appraisal process while ensuring landowner rights are respected.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 15-7-139, 15-7-140
HB0644_1(1): 15-7-139, 15-7-140
HB0644_1(2): 15-7-139, 15-7-140
HB0644_1(3): 15-7-139, 15-7-140
HB0644_1(4): 15-7-139, 15-7-140
HB0644_1(5): 15-7-139, 15-7-140
HB0644_1: 15-7-139, 15-7-140