Bill > HB420

This bill revises tax lien and tax deed laws in Montana, introducing several significant changes to protect property owners and provide more transparency in the tax sale process. The bill establishes an equity threshold that prevents tax deeds from being issued unless the delinquent taxes exceed either 2% of the property's fair market value or $5,000, giving property owners more opportunities to redeem their property. It expands notification requirements, mandating that the county treasurer send multiple notices to various interested parties, including property owners, lienholders, mortgagees, and current occupants, with a clear warning statement about potential property loss. The bill also requires online bidding for tax deed auctions to be conducted in real-time, increasing accessibility and transparency. Additionally, it clarifies definitions of terms like "contiguous" and broadens the types of properties subject to increased protections, including residential, agricultural, and forest properties. The bill provides a more comprehensive process for handling surplus funds from tax deed auctions, requiring unclaimed funds to be forwarded to the state as unclaimed property. These changes aim to provide more safeguards for property owners while maintaining a clear process for addressing delinquent tax situations.

Budget and Finance

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC2128