Landowners Petition for Condemnation Legislation

What’s happening? Montana is considering SB 268 (2021 | MT) that would allow residents of a mobile home park to petition the local government to condemn the property, when the quality of life decreases at the property. The property owners will then take over the property.

Why is this important? Moving ownership from one entity to another is a new trend in eminent domain. Whether it is a local government taking over a water utility to return to municipal water service or when the enjoyment of property decreases.

How will this be important? 2020 showed us local governments that sought to use eminent domain to create affordable housing, to house the homeless, and to correct for historical inequities. Governments are trying to make sure it gets better, this concept of using eminent domain to make it better isn’t fading.

Helena Independent Record | Montana legislation aims to change practices around mobile home parks