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SB 126MONTANASession 2025State Billdead

Did Not Advance

Montana Bill Limits Landlord Security Deposit Deductions and Speeds Up Refund Timelines

Original title: Revise tenant moveout laws

Last action · May 23, 2025: (S) Died in ProcessSponsor: Mary Ann Dunwell

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

Senate Bill 126 defines normal wear and tear, bans deductions for repainting or recarpeting after tenancies of two years or more, caps landlord labor charges at professional cleaning rates, and reduces the deadline for returning deposits and itemizing deductions from 30 days to 21 days.

Why it matters

Tenants renting in Montana gain clearer legal protections regarding withholdings and receive deposit refunds or itemized damage lists nine days sooner, while landlords face stricter limits on charging for routine maintenance and labor.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

tenants

Tenants receive faster deposit return timelines, protection from charges for long-term carpet and paint wear, and limits on landlord cleaning labor fees.

Directly affected

landlords

Landlords must adhere to a shorter 21-day deadline for returning deposits, face restrictions on deductions for painting and recarpeting, and are subject to labor fee caps.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a landlord deduct money from my security deposit to repaint the walls after I move out?

Not if your tenancy lasted for at least 2 years. Deductions for painting or recarpeting are prohibited after a tenancy of 2 or more years.

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit under this bill?

The landlord must provide the refund and a written list of any deductions within 21 days after the termination of the tenancy or surrender of the premises.

What counts as normal wear and tear under the bill?

Normal wear includes a reasonable number of small nail holes for hanging pictures, scuffs and chips on painted walls, and visible wear on carpets in high-traffic areas.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died in committee.

Procedural history

15 actions

May 23, 2025Senate
(S) Died in Process
Mar 12, 2025Senate
(S) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal
Jan 24, 2025SenateCommittee
(S) Tabled in Committee
Jan 15, 2025Senate
(S) Hearing
Jan 13, 2025SenateCommittee
(S) Referred to Committee
Jan 13, 2025Senate
(S) 1st Reading

Show 9 earlier actions

Jan 10, 2025SenateIntroduced
(S) Introduced
Jan 8, 2025House
(LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
Dec 24, 2024House
(LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
Dec 23, 2024House
(LC) Draft in Assembly
Dec 20, 2024House
(LC) Draft in Final Drafter Review
Dec 19, 2024House
(LC) Draft in Input/Proofing
Dec 4, 2024House
(LC) Draft in Edit
Dec 4, 2024House
(LC) Draft in Legal Review
Oct 31, 2024House
(LC) Drafter Assigned

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Connected Entities

Mary Ann Dunwell

PersonMary Ann Dunwell“Introduced Senate Bill 126 in the Montana Legislature.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

bills.legmt.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance20
Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
Controversy50
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz30
Current news / social attention level

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