Senate Bill No. introduced by T. Manzella aims to revise 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 include new requirements for public hearings and affidavits. Specifically, it mandates 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, individuals seeking to divide land must sign an affidavit affirming that the division is not intended to evade subdivision regulations.

The bill also clarifies the governing body's responsibilities regarding the examination of land divisions, ensuring that they must complete their review within 20 working days and may not impose conditions beyond those necessary for compliance with survey requirements. Furthermore, it introduces a civil penalty of $5,000 for individuals who knowingly evade subdivision regulations, allowing the governing body to enforce compliance with subdivision requirements for such divisions. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance oversight and accountability in land division practices while maintaining certain exemptions.

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: 76-3-207