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MontanaHB 68369th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Revise local government conflict of interest laws for contracted projects

Sponsored By: Steve Gist (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Local GovernmentState GovernmentCities and TownsCity OfficersCountiesCounty OfficersPlanning

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

City and county contracts must avoid conflicts

Municipal contracts over $2,000 and county contracts over $80,000 use competitive bidding and lowest responsible bidder rules. No local contract may be issued if it violates the law’s conflict-of-interest rules. City and town contracts for professional, technical, engineering, or legal services may skip bidding, but must still follow the conflict rules. If the work is mainly not professional or technical, the city must bid it. County road contracts must follow state bidding laws, choose the lowest responsible bidder, and honor the conflict rules. Alternative project delivery under state law remains an exception.

New conflict rules for local contractors

The law defines a financial conflict as 24% or more ownership or an active role with a party. Some holdings do not count, like mutual funds you do not manage or offices in charities. Cities and counties cannot award construction work to a bidder tied to the project designer or the owner’s representative unless the conflict is disclosed. Bidders must disclose conflicts with the bid; not disclosing makes the bid nonresponsive. At bid opening, officials announce conflicts and take public comment before award, and they may set remedies. Alternative project delivery under state law is exempt.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Steve Gist

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Steve Fitzpatrick

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 463 • No: 31

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 95 • No: 4

House vote • 4/16/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 93 • No: 7

Senate vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 46 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 3/7/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 88 • No: 11

House vote • 3/5/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 92 • No: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/19/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/7/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/6/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/2/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/23/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/18/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/17/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/16/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/11/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading

    4/11/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading

    4/10/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report

    4/8/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action

    4/7/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    3/21/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Committee

    3/17/2025Senate

  17. 1st Reading

    3/14/2025Senate

  18. Transmitted to Senate

    3/7/2025House

  19. 3rd Reading

    3/7/2025House

  20. 2nd Reading

    3/5/2025House

  21. Committee Report

    2/28/2025House

  22. Committee Executive Action

    2/27/2025House

  23. Hearing

    2/26/2025House

  24. Hearing

    2/26/2025House

  25. 1st Reading

    2/24/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/22/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    4/8/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/24/2025

    PDF

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