HELENA, MT – Governor Greg Gianforte on March 3rd, issued the following statement after Gallatin County District Court upheld several pro-housing reforms he signed into law in 2023:

“March 3rd’s ruling by Gallatin District Court to uphold critical pro-housing reforms is a victory for all Montanans striving for affordable, attainable housing. These bipartisan measures, developed through the Housing Task Force and passed by the Legislature, address our state’s housing crisis by increasing supply and expanding access to homeownership, a key part of the American dream.”

Spearheading state efforts to resolve the housing supply shortage, the governor launched a diverse, bipartisan Housing Task Force in July 2022. The governor’s task force produced three reports that identified problems at the root of the state’s housing shortage and provided solutions that could be implemented administratively or through changes to law.

Senate Bill 323, sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Trebas, R-Great Falls, allowed duplex housing in city zoning.

Senate Bill 245, sponsored by Sen. Daniel Zolnikov, R-Billings, expanded landowners’ ability to build new homes in urban areas to protect rural areas and ag land from sprawl.

Senate Bill 528, sponsored by Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson, restored landowners’ rights to build affordable starter homes by allowing accessory dwelling units.

Senate Bill 382, sponsored by Sen. Forrest Mandeville, R-Columbus, broadly reaffirms landowners’ rights to construct affordable starter homes, establishes pro-housing reform options local governments must select from to encourage housing development, and requires local governments to reform zoning regulations to meet future housing needs.