PRIA Logo™
MontanaHB 22569th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revising laws related to home inspections

Sponsored By: Eric Tilleman (Republican)

Became Law

PropertyRevenue, StateRule MakingProfessions and Occupations E-N

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Check registered professionals and protect hirers

Starting January 1, 2026, the department keeps public lists of registered contractors and home inspectors and updates them at least every two months. You can check status online or by request; basic status is free aside from copy fees. If you hire a contractor or inspector who is registered on the contract date, you are not treated as their employer and are not liable for workers’ comp, unemployment insurance, wages, or fringe benefits for them or their workers. The department also runs an education program, funded with 15% of registration fees, to help the public hire contractors and inspectors.

Home inspectors must be licensed and insured

Starting January 1, 2026, you need a Montana home inspector license to do paid inspections. To get and keep it, complete at least 40 hours of approved instruction and stay in a national home inspection association. You must carry at least $125,000 in errors-and-omissions insurance. The department enforces these rules.

Business fees and penalties under new rules

Starting January 1, 2026, the department charges fees for registration and for name or address changes. For construction contractors, each initial registration, renewal, or reinstatement can cost no more than $70; fees for home inspectors are set by rule. A joint application for registration and an independent contractor exemption cannot cost more than the two fees added together. Registered businesses must use their true name and valid registration number; violations can bring a department penalty up to $5,000, though accidental mistakes are exempt.

Clear reports and privacy for clients

Starting January 1, 2026, your inspector must give you a written report unless you waive it in writing. The report must list systems checked, major visible defects, and any referrals for further review. Inspectors must keep your results private without your written OK. They may not take pay from more than one interested party without written OK from all, and they must disclose business ties that could affect you.

State sets up inspection licensing system

Starting January 1, 2026, home inspection rules are part of Title 37 and the state’s uniform licensing system. The Department of Labor and Industry can write rules and must place fees in a special account to run and enforce the program. The law defines “home inspection” and “home inspector” and keeps the exception for other licensed pros examining a home at an owner’s request. It repeals two older home-inspector statutes. Some cross-references may change if House Bill 239 also becomes law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Eric Tilleman

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Wendy McKamey

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 482 • No: 11

House vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 4/9/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 43 • No: 6

House vote • 4/8/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 43 • No: 5

House vote • 2/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 2/5/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 100 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/13/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/8/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/2/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/2/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/29/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/20/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/18/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate

    4/18/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred

    4/17/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/9/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/9/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading Concurred

    4/8/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended

    3/25/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended

    3/25/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    3/15/2025Senate

  16. Hearing

    3/6/2025Senate

  17. Rereferred to Committee

    2/25/2025Senate

  18. Hearing

    2/21/2025Senate

  19. Referred to Committee

    2/18/2025Senate

  20. First Reading

    2/7/2025Senate

  21. Revised Fiscal Note Printed

    2/7/2025House

  22. Revised Fiscal Note Signed

    2/7/2025House

  23. Revised Fiscal Note Received

    2/7/2025House

  24. Transmitted to Senate

    2/6/2025House

  25. 3rd Reading Passed

    2/6/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/18/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    3/25/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    1/31/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/15/2025

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation