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MontanaHB 22769th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Establish a contingent litigation fund for occupational licensing boards and programs

Sponsored By: Jodee Etchart (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Labor and EmploymentRevenue, StateRule MakingAppropriations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Legal cost backstop for small licensing boards

The law creates a state fund to help pay legal costs in license discipline cases. It covers costs above $15,000 for boards or programs with a three-year average revenue of $200,000 or less, when money is available. Payments for a case can continue even if a board later exceeds that revenue. The fund cannot pay penalties or sanctions. The department sets rules for how money is shared, and interest and unspent money stay in the fund. Begins July 1, 2025.

Up to $25 fee for some licensees

The department may charge up to $25 per year per licensee. It is added to new or renewal applications and is the same for all covered boards. The fee applies only to licensees of the covered boards or programs. It is not collected in years when the fund has more than $300,000 on March 31. Begins July 1, 2025.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jodee Etchart

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Bruce "Butch" Gillespie

    Republican • Senate

  • Wendy McKamey

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 260 • No: 38

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 35 • No: 15

Senate vote • 3/31/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 35 • No: 15

House vote • 2/3/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 94 • No: 5

House vote • 1/31/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 96 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    4/17/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    4/16/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/9/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    4/9/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/7/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/2/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/1/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading

    4/1/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading

    3/31/2025Senate

  10. Committee Report

    3/20/2025Senate

  11. Committee Executive Action

    3/19/2025Senate

  12. Hearing

    2/25/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Committee

    2/18/2025Senate

  14. 1st Reading

    2/4/2025Senate

  15. Transmitted to Senate

    2/3/2025House

  16. 3rd Reading

    2/3/2025House

  17. 2nd Reading

    1/31/2025House

  18. Committee Report

    1/28/2025House

  19. Fiscal Note Printed

    1/28/2025House

  20. Fiscal Note Signed

    1/27/2025House

  21. Fiscal Note Received

    1/27/2025House

  22. Committee Executive Action

    1/27/2025House

  23. Committee Executive Action

    1/27/2025House

  24. Hearing

    1/20/2025House

  25. 1st Reading

    1/16/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/15/2025

    PDF

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