Property Tax Reform Headed to Governor’s Desk
HELENA, Mont.—

Long-term property tax reform aimed at reducing future tax increases is headed to Governor Greg Gianforte’s desk after Senate Bill 117 cleared its final vote in the legislature yesterday.

Sponsored by Sen. Daniel Zolnikov, R-Billings, SB 117 ensures that property taxes collected on new development are used to offset taxes paid by existing homeowners and businesses.

“Montana is growing, especially in our larger cities where property taxes are the highest, and those new developments bring in a lot of new property tax revenue,” Zolnikov said. “SB 117 addresses runaway property tax increases by making sure money from all that new development is used to reduce property taxes for existing homeowners.”

SB 117 passed both chambers of the legislature with overwhelming Republican support. It is based on Zolnikov’s SB 511, which narrowly failed during the 2023 legislative session.

“We’ve got plenty more work to do on property taxes before we wrap up the session, but SB 117 is an important structural reform that will help contain property tax increases heading into the future, and we got it across the finish line,” Zolnikov said. “This is a long-term solution to a long-term problem of endless government growth.”

Representative Klakken
House District 37