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MontanaHB 22569th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revising laws related to home inspections

Sponsored By: Eric Tilleman (Republican)

Signed by Governor

PropertyRevenue, StateRule MakingProfessions and Occupations E-N

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Home inspectors need license, training, insurance

Beginning January 1, 2026, anyone paid to do a home inspection must hold a state license. To get and keep it, you need at least 40 hours of department‑approved training, membership in a national home inspection association, and at least $125,000 in errors‑and‑omissions insurance. The Department of Labor and Industry sets rules and puts license fees in a special account to run and enforce the program. The law defines what counts as a home inspection and excludes exams done by another Montana‑licensed professional working within that license. Home inspectors use the state’s standard licensing process for jobs without boards.

Stronger inspection reports and conflict rules

Beginning January 1, 2026, licensed home inspectors must give clients a written report after each inspection unless the client signs a written waiver. The report must list systems checked, major visible defects, and when to seek further review. Inspectors may not take pay from more than one interested party without all parties’ written approval. Inspectors may not take commissions tied to client work and must disclose any business ties that could affect the client.

Contractor fees capped; inspectors regulated separately

Beginning January 1, 2026, construction contractor registration fees for issuing, renewing, or reinstating a certificate are capped at $70. Fees go into a special account, and 15% pays for an industry and consumer information program. The law removes home inspectors from this contractor chapter. Home inspectors no longer receive that chapter’s registration‑based limited‑liability protections or its business‑practice penalties; they are regulated separately.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Eric Tilleman

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Wendy McKamey

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 484 • No: 12

House vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 100 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 43 • No: 6

Senate vote • 4/8/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 44 • No: 6

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 Senate Amendments

    4/18/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/17/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/9/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading

    4/9/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading

    4/8/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report

    3/25/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action

    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. 1st 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

    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

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