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HB 17

Revise terms for forest lands taxation advisory committee

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Thane

Montana HB 17 restructures the forest lands taxation advisory committee's membership terms to adjust stakeholder representation in forest property tax policy decisions.

Chapter Number Assigned
#forestsandforestry #taxation(generally) #taxation--property
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Bill Summary · HB 17

Legislative bill overview

HB 17 revises the composition and term structure of Montana's forest lands taxation advisory committee. The bill modifies how committee members are appointed and the length of their service terms to better align with the state's forest management and taxation oversight needs.

Why is this important

The forest lands taxation advisory committee influences how Montana taxes timberland and forest properties, which directly affects both state revenue and the economic viability of forestry operations. Changes to committee structure can shift the balance of influence among stakeholders—landowners, environmental groups, county officials, and timber interests—affecting forest policy outcomes.

Potential points of contention

  • Representation concerns: Modifications to committee terms or composition may favor certain stakeholder groups (timber industry vs. conservation interests) over others
  • Advisory power scope: Unclear how advisory recommendations translate into actual tax policy, raising questions about whether structural changes meaningfully impact forest taxation outcomes
  • Local government input: Changes may affect how much county assessors and local officials influence statewide forest valuation standards

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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