House Bill 492 passed second reading after a lengthy floor debate that split members on local control and housing affordability.

Pro Tem Zolnikov, the bill’s sponsor on the floor, said the measure “reigns in arbitrary and bureaucratic government parking mandates” and argued that high parking requirements increase housing costs. He told members the bill sets a statewide minimum and does not ban parking, does not prevent owners from providing more spaces, and delays effect until Oct. 1, 2026, to give communities time to adapt.

Opponents warned the bill was a one‑size‑fits‑all approach that would remove local control and could worsen parking problems in older neighborhoods. Representative Strand called the bill inappropriate for all Montana communities and urged a “no” vote. Other speakers, including representatives with local government experience, described both negative experiences with parking (double‑parked cars, insufficient on‑street spaces) and benefits of denser housing without high parking mandates.

Supporters — including several members representing urban districts — said limiting parking minimums is a useful tool to enable infill housing, and the bill was grounded in recommendations from the governor’s task force on housing. Pro Tem Zolnikov noted two Montana cities already require the one‑space‑per‑unit standard and that those cities saw lower housing prices compared with high‑cost areas; several members said the bill was a modest, reversible policy change.

The clerk recorded 64 yes and 36 no votes on second reading; the motion recommending the bill do pass was approved and House Bill 492 passed second reading.