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HB 771

Revise university system laws to remove barriers to freshmen living off campus

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jodee Etchart

Montana bill removes freshman on-campus housing requirements, allowing students to live off-campus but potentially reducing university housing revenue and student support access.

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Bill Summary · HB 771

Legislative bill overview

HB 771 would modify Montana's university system regulations to allow freshmen to live off-campus rather than requiring them to live in on-campus housing. The bill removes current barriers that mandate or strongly encourage first-year students to reside in university dormitories.

Why is this important

Universities often use on-campus housing requirements to generate revenue, manage campus culture, and ensure student support services reach freshmen. Removing these requirements could reduce housing costs for students, increase housing availability for upper-class students, but may also affect university finances and potentially reduce institutional oversight of student transitions to college life.

Potential points of contention

  • University revenue impact: On-campus housing generates significant revenue for universities; reduced occupancy could affect institutional budgets and services funded through housing fees
  • Student support and retention: Freshmen living on-campus typically have higher engagement with campus resources, academic support, and peer networks—removing requirements could disadvantage some students
  • Housing market effects: Increased demand for private off-campus housing could drive up local rental prices and strain student housing availability in college towns

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

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