All Roll Calls
Yes: 165 • No: 133
MontanaHB 3969th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House
Repeal law disallowing parties from contributing to judicial candidates
Sponsored By: Tom Millett (Republican)
Became Law
CourtsElectionsJudges and Justices
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
How counties fill justice of the peace vacancies
When a justice of the peace seat opens, the county appoints someone until voters elect a successor. The appointee must live in the right area and follow state election rules.
New rules for joint fundraising groups
The law lets statewide candidates, party committees, and independent committees raise money together in a joint fundraising committee. Judicial candidates, ballot issue committees, incidental committees, and corporate or union political committees cannot join. Corporations and unions may give to a joint fundraising committee if at least one participant can legally receive the money. The committee must split gifts so no participant goes over donor limits. The committee and each participant are legally responsible for violations tied to their share.
Parties can fund most judicial races
The law removes the old ban on political party contributions to most judicial candidates. Party committees still cannot give to justices of the peace. When a party joins a joint fundraising committee, that committee cannot spend money in ways that break the justice‑of‑the‑peace ban.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Tom Millett
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Theresa Manzella
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/15/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 25 • No: 23
House vote • 2/14/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 26 • No: 24
House vote • 1/15/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 57 • No: 43
House vote • 1/14/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 57 • No: 43
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
3/4/2025HouseSigned by Governor
3/4/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
2/26/2025HouseSigned by President
2/26/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
2/26/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
2/18/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
2/15/2025House3rd Reading Concurred
2/15/2025Senate2nd Reading Concurred
2/14/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Concurred
2/7/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred
2/5/2025SenateHearing
2/4/2025SenateReferred to Committee
1/17/2025SenateFirst Reading
1/16/2025SenateTransmitted to Senate
1/16/2025House3rd Reading Passed
1/15/2025House2nd Reading Passed
1/14/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Passed
1/10/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed
1/10/2025HouseHearing
1/6/2025HouseFirst Reading
1/6/2025HouseReferred to Committee
12/20/2024HouseIntroduced
12/6/2024House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/14/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
2/17/2025
Introduced
12/9/2024