House Bill No. introduced by L. Brewster aims to revise laws concerning the leasing and sale of state land for commercial purposes in Montana. The bill eliminates the requirement for public auctions for state land sales, allowing for individual agreements between lessees and the Department. It amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to redefine "commercial purpose" to include the development of real property for residential, industrial, or commercial use, while excluding multifamily residential development. Additionally, it introduces new provisions regarding the responsibilities of lessees, the process for sales, and the rights of current lessees in the event of a sale.

The bill also repeals several existing sections of the MCA related to the sale process, including those governing certificates of purchase and procedures in case of default. Key amendments include changes to the requirements for commercial leases, the notice and procedure for sales, and the terms of payment. Notably, it allows for the possibility of waiving certain rights and conditions through written agreements between the lessee and the department, thereby providing more flexibility in the leasing and sale of state lands.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 77-1-902, 77-1-906, 77-2-321, 77-2-322, 77-2-323, 77-2-324, 77-2-325, 77-2-329, 77-2-363
HB0379_1(1): 77-1-902, 77-1-906, 77-2-321, 77-2-322, 77-2-323, 77-2-324, 77-2-325, 77-2-329, 77-2-363
HB0379_1: 77-1-902, 77-1-906, 77-2-321, 77-2-322, 77-2-323, 77-2-324, 77-2-325, 77-2-329, 77-2-363