PRIA Logo™
MontanaHB 6869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Authorize county commissioners to initiate mandamus proceedings

Sponsored By: Steve Gist (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Cities and TownsCity OfficersCourts

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

County boards can compel local entities

The law lets a county board ask a court for a writ of mandamus to make a local government entity in the county, or its governing members, do or stop an act. This does not apply to a county, a consolidated city-county, an incorporated city or town, or any school district. The board may hire outside lawyers to bring the case, and a court can award attorney fees and costs. The board also oversees officers who handle public money. It can require reports, renew official bonds, and inspect books and accounts.

Stronger penalties and recall for defying mandamus orders

If a court’s mandamus order is ignored without a just excuse, the court can fine up to $1,000. If refusal continues, the court can jail the offender until they obey and issue any orders needed to fully enforce the writ. When an elected or appointed official is found in contempt for not following a mandamus writ, voters may use Montana’s existing recall rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Steve Gist

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Dave Fern

    Democrat • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 273 • No: 26

Senate vote • 3/20/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 38 • No: 12

Senate vote • 3/19/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 37 • No: 13

House vote • 1/15/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 98 • No: 1

House vote • 1/14/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 100 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    4/7/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    4/7/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/1/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    4/1/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    3/28/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    3/21/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    3/20/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading

    3/20/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading

    3/19/2025Senate

  10. Committee Report

    3/18/2025Senate

  11. Committee Executive Action

    3/17/2025Senate

  12. Hearing

    2/14/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Committee

    1/17/2025Senate

  14. 1st Reading

    1/16/2025Senate

  15. Transmitted to Senate

    1/16/2025House

  16. 3rd Reading

    1/15/2025House

  17. 2nd Reading

    1/14/2025House

  18. Committee Report

    1/10/2025House

  19. Committee Executive Action

    1/9/2025House

  20. Hearing

    1/6/2025House

  21. 1st Reading

    1/6/2025House

  22. Referred to Committee

    12/20/2024House

  23. Introduced

    12/12/2024House

Bill Text

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    3/20/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    3/20/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    12/12/2024

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation