HELENA, MT – Governor Greg Gianforte on Feb 27th, released the following statement in response to House legislators passing House Bill 231, the bipartisan Homestead Rate Cut bill that permanently cuts property tax rates for Montana homeowners, renters, and small businesses:

“Property taxes are too high. We heard that loudly and clearly from Montanans who last year elected legislators and me to deliver substantive, long-term property tax relief this year. I join Montanans in thanking legislators in the House for their work to prioritize this measure, which is our best chance of doing what Montanans expected us to do with property taxes this year.

“I appreciate House leadership, including Speaker Brandon Ler and Majority Leader Steve Fitzpatrick, who worked hard to get this across this finish line. I also appreciate the legislators who sponsored this important, commonsense bill to help Montanans, saw it through the process, and voted for it.

“I look forward to the Senate giving the Homestead Rate Cut its due consideration, and to working with senators to get this meaningful, permanent property tax relief to my desk as quickly as possible.”

The Homestead Rate Cut is a recommendation that came from the governor’s diverse, bipartisan Property Tax Task Force. The Homestead Rate Cut is projected to lower property taxes for Montana homeowners by 15% and small businesses by 18%. According to estimates, the property tax reform measure will directly reduce property taxes for more than 215,000 primary residences and more than 32,000 small businesses, as well as provide indirect relief for over 130,000 renters.

The House of Representatives voted 68-30 to pass HB 231, the Homestead Rate Cut, with Republicans voting 43-14 and Democrats voting 25-16.