The bill proposes significant revisions to the laws governing the leasing and sale of state land for commercial purposes in Montana. Key changes include the elimination of mandatory auction requirements for state land sales, allowing for individual agreements between lessees and the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. The definition of "commercial purpose" is revised to include the development of real property for residential, industrial, or commercial purposes, while removing multifamily residential development from the definition. Additionally, the bill amends various sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to streamline the sale process, including the requirement for public notice and the procedures for bidding and settlement for improvements on sold land.

Furthermore, the bill repeals several sections of the MCA that pertain to the sale process, such as the certificate of purchase and procedures in case of default, thereby simplifying the legal framework surrounding state land transactions. It also introduces new provisions that allow lessees to match high bids during sales and outlines the responsibilities of both the lessee and the purchaser regarding improvements on the land. Overall, the bill aims to create a more flexible and efficient process for leasing and selling state land, enhancing opportunities for commercial development while ensuring that lessees retain certain rights.

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