Bill
LC 650
Summary of LC 650: Generally Revise Land Use Laws Bill OverviewLC 650 was a draft bill that proposed comprehensive revisions to Montana's land use laws. The bill was introduced on
LC 650 was a draft bill that proposed comprehensive revisions to Montana's land use laws. The bill was introduced on October 30, 2024 but ultimately died in the legislative process without being enacted into law.
The main goals of LC 650 were to:
Streamline Local Land Use Planning: The bill aimed to consolidate and simplify the process for local governments to develop and update comprehensive land use plans. This included setting new deadlines and requirements for plan updates.
Update Zoning and Development Regulations: LC 650 would have required cities and counties to review and modernize their zoning codes and development regulations to better align with current planning best practices.
Enhance Public Participation: The bill proposed new mandates for public hearings, comment periods, and stakeholder engagement during land use planning and approval processes.
Strengthen Environmental Protections: LC 650 sought to establish stronger statewide standards for environmental impact assessments, wildlife habitat conservation, and natural resource protection in land use decisions.
Promote Affordable Housing: The bill included provisions to incentivize the development of affordable and workforce housing as part of new residential projects.
If enacted, LC 650 would have had significant impacts on land use planning and development across Montana, especially for local governments and the real estate/construction industry. Key stakeholders that would have been affected include:
The bill's ultimate failure means Montana's existing land use laws remain in place, maintaining the status quo for now. However, the issues and policy ideas addressed in LC 650 are likely to continue being debated and proposed in future legislative sessions.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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