The bill revises local government laws in Montana, particularly focusing on municipal public notice and public hearing requirements. It introduces changes to the publication timeline for notices, mandating that the first notice be published at least 5 business days before a hearing or action, and in some cases, at least 15 business days prior. The bill also shifts deadlines for adopting resolutions from September to October and clarifies the content and methods of publication for public notices, allowing for posting on municipal websites. Notably, it removes previous requirements for multiple publications of notices, streamlining the public notice process to enhance transparency and public engagement.

Additionally, the bill amends sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) related to zoning ordinances and subdivision regulations. It establishes that an interim zoning ordinance is effective for a maximum of one year, extendable for an additional year with a two-thirds vote from the legislative body. The public notice requirements for hearings on proposed regulations and subdivision applications are modified, replacing newspaper publication with guidelines specified in the MCA. The bill also introduces an expedited review process for certain subdivision applications, exempting them from environmental assessments, and mandates timely public hearings for these applications. Overall, the amendments aim to streamline regulatory processes while ensuring public participation and adherence to zoning and subdivision standards.

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: 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