Bill > HB931

This bill amends Montana state law to expand the definition of "commercial purpose" for state trust land leases to explicitly include single-family and multifamily residential development, particularly when the development is aimed at creating attainable workforce housing. Specifically, the bill allows nonprofit corporations to lease state lands for developing affordable housing, adding clarity to existing statutes about what constitutes a commercial use of state-owned land. The legislation modifies the definitions in section 77-1-902 of Montana Code Annotated, referencing the definition of "attainable workforce housing" from another section of state law (90-6-143). The bill broadens the previous limitations on commercial land use, which previously excluded residential developments, by creating a pathway for nonprofit organizations to develop housing that addresses workforce housing needs. This change is designed to help address housing affordability and availability by providing a mechanism for developing residential properties on state trust lands through master leases with nonprofit entities focused on creating attainable housing for workers.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC3146