This bill revises local government nuisance laws in Montana by establishing a minimum threshold for citizen complaints before a county officer can conduct site inspections related to community decay. Specifically, it requires that at least three property owners within one-fourth of a mile of the property in question must file complaints for an inspection to occur. However, if the governing body identifies a health violation that could impact the surrounding community, they can bypass this complaint requirement. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the governing body retains the authority to enact community decay controls that may only apply to specific areas within the county.

Furthermore, the bill amends the definition of nuisances in Section 7-5-4104, allowing city or town councils to control and abate conditions that endanger health or safety, are offensive to the senses, or obstruct the comfortable enjoyment of life or property for a community or neighborhood. It also specifies that a condition affecting a significant number of people is still considered a nuisance, regardless of the varying degrees of annoyance or damage experienced by individuals. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_1(1): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_1(2): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_1(3): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_1(4): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_1(5): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_1: 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_2(1): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_2(2): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_2(3): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_2(4): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_2(5): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_2(6): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_2(7): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_2(8): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_2: 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_X(1): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_X(10): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_X(11): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_X(12): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_X(13): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_X(14): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_X(2): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_X(3): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_X(4): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_X(5): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_X(6): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_X(7): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_X(8): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_X(9): 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104
HB0742_X: 7-5-2111, 7-5-4104