All Roll Calls
Yes: 263 • No: 31
MontanaHB 22669th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET
Provide for a legal employment and government accountability law
Sponsored By: Courtenay Sprunger (Republican)
Became Law
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
House vote • 4/10/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 44 • No: 4
House vote • 4/8/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 44 • No: 3
House vote • 2/4/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 87 • No: 13
House vote • 2/3/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 88 • No: 11
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/5/2025HouseSigned by Governor
5/1/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
4/22/2025HouseSigned by President
4/22/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
4/18/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
4/11/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
4/10/2025House3rd Reading Concurred
4/10/2025Senate2nd Reading Concurred
4/8/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Concurred
4/4/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred
4/4/2025SenateHearing
3/24/2025SenateReferred to Committee
3/19/2025SenateFirst Reading
2/5/2025SenateRevised Fiscal Note Printed
2/5/2025HouseTransmitted to Senate
2/4/2025House3rd Reading Passed
2/4/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Signed
2/4/2025House2nd Reading Passed
2/3/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Received
2/3/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Requested
1/30/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Passed as Amended
1/28/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended
1/28/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended
1/28/2025HouseFiscal Note Printed
1/28/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/15/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
1/28/2025
Introduced
1/15/2025