All Roll Calls
Yes: 458 • No: 31
MontanaHB 68369th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House
Revise local government conflict of interest laws for contracted projects
Sponsored By: Steve Gist (Republican)
Became Law
Local GovernmentState GovernmentCities and TownsCity OfficersCountiesCounty OfficersPlanning and Development
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Cities must bid $2,000+ contracts
Cities and towns must advertise and bid most contracts that pay over $2,000. Awards go to the lowest responsible bidder. The city manager signs approved contracts and may reject and rebid. Contracts cannot violate conflict-of-interest rules. Professional, technical, engineering, or legal services are usually not bid unless most work is nonprofessional. Water, sewer, or power plant operation deals can be renewed or amended without rebidding if first bid and the provider served the last five years.
Counties must bid $80,000+ contracts
Counties must publish bid notices and compete contracts over $80,000. These usually go to the lowest responsible bidder. Notices follow the rules in 7-1-2121. County road projects must follow state bidding law and go to the lowest responsible bidder. The board may reject bids. If no union contract sets wages, the board sets the prevailing wage in the contract. Awards cannot break conflict-of-interest rules.
Stronger conflict rules for local contracts
The law blocks counties and cities from giving a construction job to a contractor tied to the project’s designer or the owner’s rep. A financial interest means owning 24% or more, or serving as a director, advisor, or active participant. Usual mutual fund holdings and many nonprofit roles do not count. Contractors must disclose any conflict with their bid. A hidden conflict makes the bid nonresponsive. The government announces conflicts at bid opening and holds a public meeting before award. Projects that use the state’s alternative delivery method are excluded.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Steve Gist
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Steve Fitzpatrick
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/17/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 95 • No: 4
House vote • 4/16/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 91 • No: 7
House vote • 4/11/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 46 • No: 2
House vote • 4/10/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 47 • No: 0
House vote • 3/7/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 88 • No: 11
House vote • 3/5/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 91 • No: 7
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/19/2025HouseSigned by Governor
5/13/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
5/7/2025HouseSigned by President
5/6/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
5/2/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
4/23/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
4/18/2025House3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate
4/17/2025House2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred
4/16/2025HouseReturned to House with Amendments
4/11/2025Senate3rd Reading Concurred
4/11/2025Senate2nd Reading Concurred
4/10/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended
4/8/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended
4/7/2025SenateHearing
3/21/2025SenateReferred to Committee
3/17/2025SenateFirst Reading
3/14/2025SenateTransmitted to Senate
3/7/2025House3rd Reading Passed
3/7/2025House2nd Reading Passed
3/5/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Passed
2/28/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed
2/27/2025HouseHearing
2/26/2025HouseHearing
2/26/2025HouseFirst Reading
2/24/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/22/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
4/8/2025
Introduced
2/24/2025