MontanaHB 22669th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Provide for a legal employment and government accountability law

Sponsored By: Courtenay Sprunger (Republican)

Signed by Governor

International RelationsWorkers' CompensationRule Making

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.

Steeper fines and license suspensions for employers

Beginning July 1, 2025, civil fines apply per employee when you violate the hiring verification rules. First violation: up to $500 per person. Second: up to $1,000 per person. Third or later: up to $2,500 per person, and your government licenses must be suspended for 30 days to 6 months upon notice.

Stronger audits and subpoenas for employers

Beginning July 1, 2025, the Department of Labor and Industry can investigate and audit employers. The Department can inspect books, records, and payrolls with three business days' notice. Refusing to provide records can bring up to a $500 fine per offense. The Department can issue subpoenas and ask a court to force compliance; disobeying a court order is contempt. Penalty hearings use state contested-case rules, and the hearing officer is not bound by normal court evidence rules.

New hiring verification rules for employers

Beginning July 1, 2025, employers must check every hire’s right to work. You must keep either an E-Verify result or a completed Form I-9 with identity and work documents, within federal timelines in 8 CFR 274a.2. Using E-Verify creates a good-faith presumption, so you are not penalized just for relying on its result. State rules do not replace federal I-9 duties; you must follow both state and federal requirements.

Rulemaking and July 1, 2025 start

Beginning July 1, 2025, the Department must adopt rules to carry out this law. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, so employers should prepare to comply by that date.

Enforcement fund for hiring-law compliance

Beginning July 1, 2025, the law creates a special lawful employment enforcement account in the state special revenue fund. Penalties collected under this law, and money from 39-2-305, are paid into the account. Interest and unspent money stay in the account each year. The Department can spend this money only if appropriated and only for enforcement and education under this law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Courtenay Sprunger
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Gregg Hunter
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 267 • No: 31

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 44 • No: 4

Senate vote • 4/8/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 47 • No: 3

House vote • 2/4/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 87 • No: 13

House vote • 2/3/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 89 • No: 11

Actions Timeline

Chapter Number Assigned
5/5/2025House
Signed by Governor
5/1/2025House
Transmitted to Governor
4/22/2025House
Signed by President
4/22/2025Senate
Signed by Speaker
4/18/2025House
Returned from Enrolling
4/11/2025House
Sent to Enrolling
4/10/2025House
3rd Reading
4/10/2025Senate
2nd Reading
4/8/2025Senate
Committee Report
4/4/2025Senate
Committee Executive Action
4/4/2025Senate
Hearing
3/24/2025Senate
Referred to Committee
3/19/2025Senate
1st Reading
2/5/2025Senate
Revised Fiscal Note Printed
2/5/2025House
Transmitted to Senate
2/4/2025House
3rd Reading
2/4/2025House
Revised Fiscal Note Signed
2/4/2025House
2nd Reading
2/3/2025House
Revised Fiscal Note Received
2/3/2025House
Revised Fiscal Note Requested
1/30/2025House
Committee Report
1/28/2025House
Committee Executive Action
1/28/2025House
Committee Executive Action
1/28/2025House
Fiscal Note Printed
1/28/2025House

Bill Text

Enrolled
4/15/2025
PDF
As Amended (Version 2)
1/28/2025
PDF
Introduced
1/15/2025
PDF

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