Governor Encourages Action on 'Homestead' Property Tax Relief Bill

Gov. Greg Gianforte continues to push lawmakers to pass a “homestead exemption” bill to help Montanans with rising property taxes by lowering rates for primary residences and long-term rentals.

Gianforte has said the plan is projected to provide direct permanent relief to 215,000 Montana homeowners, with average cuts of 15%. During his State of the State speech in January, the governor highlighted the proposal as one of his top priorities.

“In my State of the State, I asked the legislature to pass the homestead rate cut by the middle of February,” Gianforte said at a press conference last week. “I always knew that would be a somewhat ambitious timeline, but the Department of Revenue needs some time to implement this rate cut for Montanans it takes effect this year.”

The governor is championing House Bill 231, carried by Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad. The House of Representatives advanced the bill on a 75-25 vote on Feb. 6, with yeas and nays on both sides of the aisle. The bill is now in the House Appropriations Committee awaiting a vote there before it can move forward. It will still need hearings and debate in the Senate.

When asked about House Bill 155, a Democrat-backed bill similar to HB 231 on its way to the House for debate, Gianforte said the Homestead Act is still “the way to go.”

“ The concept is simple,” Gianforte said. “If you’re a homeowner who lives in your home, you should get a property tax cut. If you’re a renter who lives in a long-term rental, property taxes should be lower for where you live, and your rent should reflect that lower tax.”