Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana HB80: Provide cash lease-only bidding for agriculture leases
Status: Signed into law, March 27, 2025
What the bill says
An act modifying the use of cash basis for competitive bidding for state land agricultural leases; and amending sections 77-6-203, 77-6-501, and 77-6-506, mca.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT MODIFYING THE USE OF CASH BASIS FOR COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR STATE LAND AGRICULTURAL LEASES; AND AMENDING SECTIONS 77-6-203, 77-6-501, AND 77-6-506, MCA. Section 1. Section 77-6-203, MCA, is amended to read: "77-6-203. Bid deposit. (1) A person bidding for the lease of state lands shall deposit with the department, as evidence of good faith, a certified check, cashier's check, or money order in an amount equal to 100% of the annual rental bid in the case of grazing land and an amount equal to $20 per acre for each acre of agricultural land contained in the lease in the case of agricultural land on which the bid is made on a crop share basis. (2) The department shall retain the deposit of the successful bidder, apply it on the rental for the first year of the lease only, and return any balance of the deposit at the end of the first year to the successful bidder. The department shall return the deposits of the unsuccessful bona fide bidders. If the department finds a bid has been submitted that is frivolous, forged, or a bad faith bid or a bid submitted for purposes of harassment, the deposit is forfeited. The department shall make a reasonable attempt to notify the bidder in writing of the forfeiture and the reasons therefor …
Sponsors
- Gregg, Randyn (R, 78) · primary sponsor
- Kassmier, Josh (R, 13)
Latest actions
- : Chapter Number Assigned
- : Chapter Number Assigned
- : (H) Signed by Governor
- : (H) Transmitted to Governor
- : (S) Signed by President
- : (H) Signed by Speaker
- : (H) Returned from Enrolling
- : (H) Sent to Enrolling
- : (S) 3rd Reading
- : (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
Votes
- Do Concur (March 4, 2025): 47 yea, 3 nay, passed
- Do Concur (March 3, 2025): 47 yea, 3 nay, passed
- Do Pass (January 23, 2025): 100 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass (January 22, 2025): 100 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: State Lands, Agriculture
Common questions
- What is HB80?
- HB80 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Provide cash lease-only bidding for agriculture leases.
- What does HB80 do?
- In its own words: An act modifying the use of cash basis for competitive bidding for state land agricultural leases; and amending sections 77-6-203, 77-6-501, and 77-6-506, mca.
- What is the status of HB80?
- Signed into law as of March 27, 2025. Latest action: Chapter Number Assigned (May 13, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB80?
- Gregg, Randyn (R, 78), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB80?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0531
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.