Senate Joint Resolution No. 47, introduced by F. Mandeville, requests an interim study to evaluate the processes for creating new incorporated municipalities and counties in Montana. The resolution highlights existing statutory requirements, such as those in Title 7, chapter 2 of the Montana Code Annotated, which govern the creation, alteration, and abandonment of local governments. It points out that current requirements for incorporating new cities or towns may be overly stringent, particularly the need for a proposed ward to have 50 or more registered electors and a density of at least 200 inhabitants per square mile. Additionally, it raises concerns about the voting rights of citizens in areas proposed for new counties, suggesting that only those directly affected should have the right to vote on such matters.

The resolution calls for the Legislative Council to designate an appropriate interim committee to conduct the study, which will involve reviewing existing statutory processes, analyzing historical incorporation cases, and assessing whether current requirements are redundant or in need of modernization. The committee is also tasked with engaging stakeholders, including local government associations and community members interested in the incorporation process. The study's findings and recommendations are to be presented to the 70th Legislature by September 15, 2026, ensuring that the legislative body is informed of any necessary changes to improve the incorporation processes in Montana.