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69th Legislature HJ 55
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HJ 55
ENROLLED BILL
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY OF THE LICENSING STANDARDS, EDUCATION, AND
PRACTICES OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT IN THE STATE; AND REQUIRING THAT THE RESULTS OF
THE STUDY BE REPORTED TO THE 70TH LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, residential and commercial landowners hire property managers to manage landowners'
properties throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, to manage these properties, property managers are required to obtain a license that
requires education and training approved by the Department of Labor and Industry; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, the Department of Labor and Industry was charged with the responsibility of
receiving complaints from citizens in the state and with disciplining licensed property managers for violations of
professional conduct; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Labor and Industry is authorized to create rules and regulations for
professional practice with respect to the licensing of property managers, but professional practice is limited in
requiring property managers to comply with the responsibilities of the Montana Residential Landlord and Tenant
Act and commercial rental contract law in the state; and
WHEREAS, the state recognizes the importance of property managers to provide services to both
landowners and tenants with respect to the rental of property; and
WHEREAS, these services are received at a cost, and the costs, which are not monitored or regulated,
have affected both landowners and tenants as an increase in rental prices in the state; and
WHEREAS, the state has recognized that foreign corporations and foreign investment groups are not
required to have licensed and regulated property managers overseeing rental properties, thus reducing the
quality of those rental properties.
69th Legislature HJ 55
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HJ 55
ENROLLED BILL
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF
THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee or statutory
committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, or direct sufficient staff resources to:
(1) review the current licensing, education, and fee requirements of property managers in
Montana;
(2) review the conformance of property manager requirements and practice with the Montana
Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, the commercial rental laws of Montana, and the property management
requirements of foreign corporations and investment groups;
(3) examine the current end-user costs charged to landowners and tenants as a result of property
management licensing and education requirements; and
(4) identify education requirements and practices from other states to evaluate how Montana's
statutes align with or differ from those in other jurisdictions and identify best practices that may inform potential
legislative changes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the committee solicit feedback from stakeholders and relevant
parties, including but not limited to property managers, landlords, tenants, tenant unions, attorneys who work in
landlord-tenant law, professional organizations in the field of landlord-tenant relations, and housing policy
experts in the property management industry.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the study is assigned to staff, any findings or conclusions be
presented to and reviewed by an appropriate committee designated by the Legislative Council.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review
requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2026.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions,
comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 70th Legislature.
- END -
I hereby certify that the within bill,
HJ 55, originated in the House.
___________________________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
___________________________________________
Speaker of the House
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
___________________________________________
President of the Senate
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 55
INTRODUCED BY A. REGIER
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY OF THE LICENSING STANDARDS, EDUCATION, AND
PRACTICES OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT IN THE STATE; AND REQUIRING THAT THE RESULTS OF
THE STUDY BE REPORTED TO THE 70TH LEGISLATURE.