Issue
Lower Costs & Better Quality of Life
Affordability is not one issue. For Montana households it includes housing, property taxes, healthcare, utilities, food, transportation, insurance, wages, and employment opportunities.
Property Taxes
Montana's Property Tax Overhaul
Montana substantially changed its property-tax structure during 2025 and 2026. The changes affect how different types of property are taxed, with different treatment for primary residences, long-term rentals, second homes, short-term rentals, commercial property, and agricultural property.
Under the new structure, primary residences and qualifying long-term rentals receive reduced tax rates compared to second homes, short-term rentals, and commercial properties. The Montana Department of Revenue has published guidance on how the new rates apply to different property categories.
Property taxation affects homeowners, renters (through the costs landlords pass on), landlords, farms, ranches, businesses, and local governments that depend on property tax revenue to fund schools, roads, and services. The changes are significant and affect different property owners differently.
Property Tax Reform
HB 231 was a major property tax reform bill in the 2025 Montana Legislature. It addressed the classification and taxation of different types of residential and commercial property, establishing different tax rates for primary residences, long-term rentals, second homes, and short-term rentals. Chip voted in favor of this bill.
Official Bill Text — Montana LegislatureProperty Tax — Additional Provisions
SB 542 addressed additional aspects of Montana's property tax structure as part of the 2025 legislative session's broader property tax reform effort. Chip voted in favor of this bill. For complete details on what the bill changed and its final status, consult the Montana Department of Revenue and the official bill text.
Official Bill Text — Montana LegislatureHealthcare
Healthcare Access in Rural Montana
Healthcare access is a persistent challenge in rural Montana. The nearest major medical facilities for many HD 42 residents are in Billings, requiring significant travel for routine and specialized care. Rural hospitals face workforce shortages, financial pressures, and the challenge of providing a broad range of services to geographically dispersed populations.
Insurance coverage, provider availability, travel distances, behavioral health services, emergency care, and the cost of healthcare all affect the quality of life and economic security of HD 42 families.
Medicaid Expansion — Continuation
Chip voted in favor of continuing Montana's Medicaid expansion. Montana expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, extending health coverage to low-income adults who would not otherwise qualify for traditional Medicaid. The expansion has provided health insurance coverage to tens of thousands of Montanans.
Medicaid expansion affects access to primary care, preventive services, mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, and emergency care for low-income Montanans. Rural hospitals and clinics also benefit from reduced uncompensated care costs when more patients have coverage.
Note: Specific numbers of HD 42 beneficiaries are not cited here without verified data. For current enrollment information, consult the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
Housing
Housing Availability and Affordability
Housing availability and affordability affect workforce recruitment, young families, seniors, employers, and community growth across Montana. Limited housing supply can make it difficult for communities to attract and retain workers in essential fields like healthcare, education, and public safety.
Single-Stair Housing Reform
SB 213 addressed building code requirements related to stairwell configurations in multi-family residential buildings. Single-stair construction — common in many countries — can allow for more efficient building designs and potentially lower construction costs, which proponents argue can support housing development. Chip voted in favor of this bill. This bill does not guarantee lower housing prices; its intended effect is to reduce regulatory barriers to housing construction.
Official Bill Text — Montana LegislatureParking Requirement Reform
HB 492 addressed minimum parking requirements for residential and commercial development. Minimum parking mandates can increase the cost of housing development and reduce the amount of land available for housing units. Reducing or eliminating mandatory parking minimums is a housing development strategy intended to lower construction costs and allow more housing to be built on available land. Chip voted in favor of this bill. This bill does not guarantee lower housing prices; its intended effect is to reduce a regulatory barrier to housing development.
Official Bill Text — Montana LegislatureWorkforce
Workforce Development
Montana employers across industries face workforce challenges. Rural communities in particular struggle to attract and retain workers in healthcare, trades, agriculture, education, and public safety. Developing Montana's workforce pipeline — starting with young people — is essential for the long-term economic health of communities like those in HD 42.
Middle School Career & Technical Education Funding
HB 357 provided funding for Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at the middle school level. CTE programs expose students earlier to fields such as agriculture, trades, business, health occupations, and technical careers — helping young people explore career paths and develop practical skills before high school. Connecting students to career pathways earlier can improve workforce readiness and help Montana employers find qualified workers. Chip voted in favor of this bill.
Official Bill Text — Montana LegislatureSources & Further Reading
- Montana Department of Revenue — Property Tax
- Montana Legislature — HB 231 (2025)
- Montana Legislature — SB 542 (2025)
- Montana Legislature — HB 245 (2025) — Medicaid Expansion
- Montana Legislature — SB 213 (2025)
- Montana Legislature — HB 492 (2025)
- Montana Legislature — HB 357 (2025)
- Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services — Medicaid
- Montana Department of Labor & Industry
- Montana Free Press Capitol Tracker