Senate Bill No. introduced by T. Manzella revises laws concerning divisions of land that are exempt from subdivision review. The bill amends Section 76-3-207 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to require a public hearing for land divisions, mandating that the governing body must hold a public meeting and notify adjacent property owners and water users at least 15 days prior to the hearing. Additionally, the bill stipulates that individuals seeking to divide land must sign an affidavit confirming that the division is not intended to evade subdivision regulations.

The bill also includes provisions for the governing body to examine land divisions to ensure compliance with existing regulations, establishes a fee cap for examination, and sets a timeline for the governing body to approve or deny applications. It introduces a civil penalty for individuals who knowingly evade subdivision regulations, allowing the governing body to enforce compliance with subdivision requirements if such evasion is proven in court. Overall, the bill aims to enhance oversight and accountability in land division practices while ensuring that local regulations are adhered to.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 76-3-207
SB0477_1(1): 76-3-207
SB0477_1(2): 76-3-207
SB0477_1(3): 76-3-207
SB0477_1(4): 76-3-207
SB0477_1: 76-3-207