House Bill 394 revises municipal public notice and public hearing requirements within Montana's local government laws. Key amendments include a new timeline for publishing notices, which must now occur at least five business days before a hearing or action, and the requirement for notices to be published twice when mandated by law. The bill also updates deadlines for certain resolutions, such as changing the adoption date for maintenance cost assessments to the first Thursday after the first Tuesday in September. Additionally, it clarifies that public notices must be published in a newspaper of general circulation or posted in designated public places if no newspaper is available, and mandates public hearings for community input on proposed low-income rental housing projects.

The bill further modifies the notice requirements for public hearings on subdivision regulations and applications, allowing for specific provisions for counties and cities instead of the previous newspaper publication requirement. It also allows interim zoning ordinances to be adopted without standard procedures, provided a public hearing is held with appropriate notice. These ordinances take effect immediately upon passage and can last for up to one year, with possible extensions. The bill emphasizes the importance of public hearings and notifications for proposed regulations and subdivision applications, while also outlining criteria for expedited review of certain applications, ensuring compliance with zoning regulations and public infrastructure requirements. Overall, House Bill 394 aims to streamline local governance processes and enhance public participation in decision-making.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_1(1): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_1(2): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_1(3): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_1(4): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_1(5): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_1: 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_2(1): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_2(2): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_2(3): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_2(4): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_2(5): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_2(6): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_2(7): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_2(8): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_2(9): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_2: 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_3(1): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_3(2): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_3(3): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_3(4): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_3(5): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_3(6): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_3(7): 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_3: 7-1-4127, 7-6-4024, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_X(1): 7-1-4127, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_X(2): 7-1-4127, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_X(3): 7-1-4127, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_X(4): 7-1-4127, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_X(5): 7-1-4127, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_X(6): 7-1-4127, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307
HB0394_X: 7-1-4127, 7-12-4179, 7-12-4329, 7-12-4425, 7-12-4426, 15-6-221, 69-7-111, 76-1-602, 76-2-303, 76-2-306, 76-3-503, 76-3-605, 76-3-623, 76-8-107, 76-25-307