[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6100432,"mediaKeyId","2813599-a8f17de0d86644a8755fc5d217d0bb68","parentId",2813599,"title","Senate committee reviews broad motor-vehicle registration fee overhaul and moves amended bill forward","audioSeconds",554,"startMs",7329000,"endMs",7883000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813599-a8f17de0d86644a8755fc5d217d0bb68&start=7329&end=7883","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813599-a8f17de0d86644a8755fc5d217d0bb68/thumbnail_7329000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6100432/Montana/Senate-committee-reviews-broad-motor-vehicle-registration-fee-overhaul-and-moves-amended-bill-forward","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100432-18d6767d50013c9699a85633a8db95ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770824645&Signature=ouCBAj1tAkZePoepLqbtlSSUu7OZAfhJvJsMualYYVuUT5~e6hKvuncgWqEEucU5VWqBRm3EUuiFugshANJN9FUnWv9rTWJ6KksCYgRFvh8EFUfdUj-71DpLj~HYEGP1jnaeYAjz~5V9xiwr6AbyWS~5rEEh0gs25PM9ohbEyDQPtmxsOtDR9sHTKJYFUl7Tfq4we6fCD4Tk3jPN1qxAchjS7GXbrhKF5L90adnyhu9iNLIwzOBL~sXaXurhIltMUhFyZL0TU7YHXjFAMbFf5jLCPzqu2P7sqIZishAQk24MI1njJINHti3g0D-DKjc05vKtisf25dxnA7ncefMpjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-28T00:00:00Z","article","Sen. Greg Hertz opened a detailed hearing on a proposal to revise motor-vehicle and other registration fees across many vehicle classes. Hertz said the bill reduces many state registration fees — for newer and older light vehicles, trailers, watercraft, snowmobiles and other categories — and would lower the general-fund portion of registration revenue in exchange for broad fee relief for vehicle owners.

Hertz acknowledged the change would reduce state general-fund receipts substantially and walked the committee through targeted adjustments to ensure dependent special revenue accounts remain whole. Staff analysis for the sponsor showed the proposal would lower the state's motor-vehicle registration receipts by roughly half and that, unless transfers are adjusted, smaller accounts such as recycling, noxious weed control, cemetery care and search and rescue would see reduced receipts. The sponsor's amendment doubles the percentage transfers to those accounts (for example, raising a 1.48% transfer to 3%) to preserve their funding levels and includes a temporary entitlement-share growth floor (2.4% minimum in specified fiscal years) intended to prevent short-term reductions to local government entitlements while the state's revenue picture adjusts.

Informational witnesses included Eric Belford and Lyna Havron from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and Department of Revenue staff helping explain trust accounts, permanent-registration options for older vehicles, and the interaction between fees and entitlement-share formulas. Several witnesses noted that permanent-registration options (one-time payments for older vehicles) and the mix of per-parcel vs. value-based assessments meant local outcomes vary by county.

The sponsor offered a technical amendment to address the most significant stakeholder concerns — principally restoring funding to entitlement-share recipients and special-revenue accounts via adjusted transfer percentages and a transitional entitlement-share growth guarantee. The committee adopted the technical amendment and then approved the bill as amended. On executive action the committee recorded a roll-call tally showing the bill passed out of committee by a 7–1 vote (Sen. Heyman recorded as the lone no vote). The committee indicated the department would calculate updated fiscal notes as the amendment language is refined.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Taxation - Friday, Mar 28, 2025 07:51 - 12:14","oneSentenceSummary","Sen. Greg Hertz proposed a comprehensive restructuring of motor vehicle and other registration fees that would lower many registration charges while adjusting transfers to preserve special-revenue accounts and local entitlement-share funding.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6100447,"Senate committee hears bill to narrow use of special assessments, witnesses cite Helena examples",3054,1018000,4072000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813599-a8f17de0d86644a8755fc5d217d0bb68&start=1018&end=4072","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813599-a8f17de0d86644a8755fc5d217d0bb68/thumbnail_1018000.jpg","/articles/6100447/Montana/Senate-committee-hears-bill-to-narrow-use-of-special-assessments-witnesses-cite-Helena-examples","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100447-fffebfbde6d959eb8884de6a6628a44e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770824645&Signature=dG0EClwtnUOe9LJmUICZAhfvOUM1pF3dykpK1GWy7dAf3Yhvaf352PRSu9bs9vjnlEgCGLnLRHjDpA~Mu3HoREybjGt6pKwDyZ0a~7aynepbNy8RV02Gt~YfqUwU-PJZslHeC0PKspUKSVBGe~xr3kvnuR~RnbOmls4ulktk1mZjJAO2AZN8XVuSp2yiVevapjUoXscOKuOYAMxq6whP-RnY3f4Ib93OyZ5LmQYas8UYKsrU0CwZf-Zr8xIml5xwWLHPKdDd-3EdPirnMokkC8DTXTtTrDmolNCYjYPkzP1MvhKBIk2xebLGe~AqqwPYekOB4JIpKqF2zuAEMfUeDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Greg Hertz, sponsor of the measure, told the Senate Taxation Committee that the bill aims to clarify when a local charge must be treated as a tax rather than as a special assessment.

The bill would define criteria for assessments, limit which parcels may be assessed for specific improvements, and allow the Department of Revenue final decisions involving property tax exemptions to be appealed to the Montana Tax Appeal Board. \"If it walks like a duck, smells like a duck, it is a duck,\" Hertz said, arguing that some levies labeled \"assessments\" are in practice taxes and should be subject to voter approval under existing law.

Supporters described examples where assessment practices have produced steep, uneven bills for property owners. Sean Logan, a Helena city commissioner speaking as a private citizen, cited an Attorney General opinion and court precedents and urged statutory clarification so property owners have a clear route to challenge charges they believe are taxes instead of assessments. Attorney Mike Green presented a map of Helena street assessments and said retailers and hotels were paying widely different amounts — \"Walmart is paying $2,400 per year; the Colonial Hotel is paying $22,000 a year\" — and argued that some assessments were decoupled from a demonstrable special benefit to the assessed parcels. He told the committee: \"If it's a fee but it looks awful lot like a tax, it's a tax.\"

Property owners who testified described long, costly appeals. Brian Sandrock, who said a Helena property assessment rose from about $7,000 in 2006 to $26,342 in 2023, told the committee the city ultimately settled and reduced the assessment to about $8,100. \"What was a $26,342 assessment is now just $8,100 — a reduction exceeding $18,000,\" Sandrock said, adding the settlement included returned legal fees.

Opponents — chiefly municipal governments and local government associations — urged caution. Danny Hess for the city of Bozeman said some districts use parcel size or flat-per-parcel methods to reflect neighborhood-wide benefits that are not adequately captured by taxable value alone. Kelly Lynch of the Montana League of Cities and Towns said existing statutory processes for special and rural improvement districts are extensive and argued the bill could unintentionally disrupt established financing tools while offering little new transparency for citizens who do not attend local budget hearings.

Several county and industry witnesses described existing petition, notice and protest procedures for creating rural improvement districts, including an 85% petition threshold in some statutes, annual hearings, and other procedural safeguards. Opponents also warned that the bill's retroactivity language and strict limits on assessing agricultural parcels could affect rural development projects (for example, developer-created rural improvement districts used to delay fronting costs for subdivisions).

The sponsor said he is willing to work on technical language with municipalities and the League, and several witnesses suggested amendments to align the bill with Montana constitutional takings precedents (Nolan/Dolan). No formal vote occurred during the hearing.

The hearing record includes extensive testimony about the difference between a charge that confers a parcel-specific benefit (an assessment) and a levy for the general public good (a tax). Witnesses urged clearer statutory definitions and better appeal routes for property owners who believe a charge is mischaracterized.

The committee did not take final action during the hearing; proponents and opponents indicated interest in negotiating technical fixes before any committee vote.","Sen. Greg Hertz, sponsor of the measure, told the Senate Taxation Committee that the bill aims to clarify when a local charge must be treated as a tax rather than as a special assessment.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6100436,"Sponsor proposes $400 \"Plan C\" property tax rebate as fallback if broader tax changes fail",7547,659000,8206000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813599-a8f17de0d86644a8755fc5d217d0bb68&start=659&end=8206","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813599-a8f17de0d86644a8755fc5d217d0bb68/thumbnail_659000.jpg","/articles/6100436/Montana/Sponsor-proposes-400-Plan-C-property-tax-rebate-as-fallback-if-broader-tax-changes-fail","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100436-2f5e0a77da9dbe7c99cb7bb569b5c076/orig.mp4?Expires=1770824645&Signature=GLDmegfxy4Q9qYvWNbim5TwS5svHader76nR7qCtD-1BNY~H5hsAFxel6fugGFKlzMilOBXqSpHuoiqw4L9yXLJv9MPb0JPNRtN7kg5HvPzAT7wzNuPKvJq3aC2aStmGoHCWAgHB0OFpHhqOdcTQCNlvQ9wZKZTksjf3W~qWyRtHLfUrKfhQTYW5cHQthvRH6cOfdnwlEKLWhn18l9k84mxgpqQxWrLIySZ-p-IkEQrgWhPrPLYPMPcMwbwDzGeAzGE1nQMDepNvnVxgeikKtQec9BEFcjwbXhki6Vr6lz9Sor4OlZxYusF6aCwpbiuNUrQgHOkBM0TSmV6RmQqXzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Wiley Galt (Central Montana) opened the hearing on a proposed $400 property tax rebate she referred to as \"Plan C,\" saying it mirrors rebates used in previous sessions and is intended as a fallback if more comprehensive property-tax reform does not move forward.

Jessica Fust, representing the City of Billings, told the committee Billings supports the Senate bill and prefers the rebate to certain House proposals that, she said, could harm the city's charter mill cap. \"The city of Billings supports senate bill 4 34 and encourages a due pass,\" Fust said.

Bob Story of the Montana Taxpayers Association said the rebate is another tool to address property tax pressure. Department of Revenue witnesses Derek Bell and Dylan Cole described administrative implementation: Bell said the department would use the same attestation process implemented under the prior rebate cycle (House Bill 222), in which applicants attest they occupied a primary residence for at least seven months on a department-prescribed form.

Committee members asked logistical questions: Sen. Beard asked why the sponsor had not signed the fiscal note; Galt said she ran out of time. Members also asked whether previously qualified applicants could receive the rebate again; Galt responded yes, subject to timing. The sponsor closed by saying she hoped a more substantive property-tax bill would prevail on the other side of the legislature but that this rebate should be available if needed.

At executive action later in the session the committee recorded a voice vote and moved the rebate (\"Plan C\") forward to the floor.","Sen. Wiley Galt introduced a $400 property tax rebate described as \"Plan C\" — a fallback option should larger property tax changes not advance. City of Billings and Montana Taxpayers Association offered support; Department of Revenue staff described using the same attestation process used for prior rebate cycles.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6100442,"Committee considers adding wireless infrastructure to five-year property tax abatement for broadband",885,4105000,4990000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813599-a8f17de0d86644a8755fc5d217d0bb68&start=4105&end=4990","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813599-a8f17de0d86644a8755fc5d217d0bb68/thumbnail_4105000.jpg","/articles/6100442/Montana/Committee-considers-adding-wireless-infrastructure-to-five-year-property-tax-abatement-for-broadband","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100442-3af0bd54e77e6a3291975967c901e501/orig.mp4?Expires=1770824645&Signature=EzB7bhG52NxbkU2-5JIN5l3uq9ifwT9NAfIShW8YzODzPSDunGqho6VA9Mr~iJyp-9KGrkv5w1HJiGyB7oaSMk~m6MqVN1DYgiNFP4npRXyYePky9OUSYUbLFDHTwOgqsz27IWGEO9TzFWNzCCtqB6zIw3xB92Zr-loaX1~jywJcnYl6fqEAa35RKedGmgBOTAG0Ca5JR8uBU5yebv~ut3QoljLanOzu1l2qyKIk9XlFG8DPmVHy~Bd1UAmGGz9ZrCT9z62dEa2LkeF86ADWbPvReber4Bc2d1P~hb7Gf75pKYK3DjwMTOFYBw3RxOMioM4KpQtbcL--k2w1FmzowQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Greg Hertz told the committee the bill would add wireless broadband infrastructure to an existing property-tax abatement that now applies to fiber optic and coaxial cable investments, and require that tax savings be reinvested in Montana broadband infrastructure within two years.

Industry witnesses said the change brings parity between wireline and wireless investments and can spur deployment in rural and underserved areas. Margaret Morgan of T‑Mobile said wireless needs wireline backhaul and vice versa; she urged the committee to approve parity so companies will have an incentive when deciding where to invest. Mark Baker of AT&T said the existing wireline framework enacted in 2021 has been \"proven to benefit the state of Montana\" and that extending the abatement to wireless would help providers allocate capital into harder-to-reach areas.

Proponents noted the bill limits eligible property and excludes central office/backroom equipment, pointing to fiscal-note assumptions that only a share (the fiscal note used a 20% estimate) of new wireless-related property would qualify for the exemption. Jared Isom, an economist with the Department of Revenue, answered fiscal-note questions and said where the installations occur and the tax base of the taxing jurisdiction determine the local revenue shift; taxes not paid by exempt property would shift to other taxable property in the same jurisdiction.

Supporters included Verizon, T‑Mobile, AT&T and the Montana Chamber of Commerce; Scott Mackey, an economist working with facility-based wireless companies, told the committee the abatement is timely and helps offset Montana's relatively high effective property tax burden on telecommunications infrastructure. No opponents appeared during the hearing.

Committee discussion touched on the expected fiscal effect and the potential multiplier from improved connectivity. Members asked Department of Revenue analysts about the fiscal note and how much investment the abatement might leverage; witnesses said the policy would lower upfront and operating costs for carriers and could generate broader economic activity in the long run. No final committee vote was recorded during the hearing.","Senate Taxation Committee heard proponents for extending the statutorily authorized abatement for fiber to wireless broadband equipment, arguing parity would encourage investment in underserved areas; telecom companies and the Montana Chamber supported the change, while the Department of Revenue provided fiscal detail.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee reviews broad motor-vehicle registration fee overhaul and moves amended bill forward

Senate committee hears bill to narrow use of special assessments, witnesses cite Helena examples

Sponsor proposes $400 "Plan C" property tax rebate as fallback if broader tax changes fail

Committee considers adding wireless infrastructure to five-year property tax abatement for broadband