MontanaHB 33369th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Generally revise local law enforcement laws

Sponsored By: Courtenay Sprunger (Republican)

Became Law

Law EnforcementCities and TownsCountiesRule Making

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Towns must provide police or contract

Every city and town must ensure local police coverage. A third-class city or town can meet this by a contract or interlocal deal, in whole or in part, with a state‑recognized law enforcement agency in the same county. This sets a clear, statewide rule for basic police service.

County sheriff steps in; town pays

If a city or town has no police and no contract, the county sheriff must provide police services there. The city or town must pay the county for those services. If they cannot agree on the price and the town has had no police for 30 days, either side must ask the Local Government Center at Montana State University to mediate. The county and the town split the Center’s mediation costs 50/50. If no deal is reached within 30 days after the meeting, both must use binding arbitration with an agreed arbitrator, who sets a fair price. Any arbitration agreement can last no more than two years. “Sheriff” includes the sheriff or the sheriff’s designee.

Overrides unfunded mandate limits for policing

The law changes how Montana’s unfunded‑mandate rules (1-2-112 to 1-2-116) apply to these policing requirements. This clears the way for the service and payment rules in this act to operate even if state funding is not provided.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Courtenay Sprunger
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Ellie Boldman
Democrat • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 280 • No: 10

House vote • 4/9/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 44 • No: 5

House vote • 4/8/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 43 • No: 5

House vote • 2/18/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 2/14/2025