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MontanaSB 37369th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate

Revise laws related to enforcement of liens

Sponsored By: Barry Usher (Republican)

Signed by Governor

PropertyEconomic DevelopmentSecured Transactions

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More places to file lien cases

If you are not paid within 30 days for work, services, feed, or materials, you can sue to enforce a lien. You can file in a court in the county where the contract was made, where the owner lives at filing, or where the property sits. An owner can ask the court for a hearing to contest a proposed sale.

Quicker lien steps, 21-day notice

Courts may use an order to show cause instead of a summons in lien cases. The court can issue the order before serving the owner. The order must be mailed by certified mail and by first-class mail to the owner’s last known address at least 21 days before the hearing. Judges set the hearing date; the former 20 working day limit is removed. After judgment, the lienor must give a copy to the county sheriff to carry out the court’s enforcement steps.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Barry Usher

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Morgan Thiel

    Republican • House

  • Steve Fitzpatrick

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 273 • No: 24

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 97 • No: 2

House vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 94 • No: 4

Senate vote • 3/3/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 43 • No: 7

Senate vote • 3/1/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 39 • No: 11

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/8/2025Senate

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/5/2025Senate

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/25/2025Senate

  4. Signed by Speaker

    4/25/2025House

  5. Signed by President

    4/21/2025Senate

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/12/2025Senate

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/11/2025Senate

  8. 3rd Reading

    4/11/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading

    4/10/2025House

  10. Committee Report

    3/27/2025House

  11. Committee Executive Action

    3/27/2025House

  12. Hearing

    3/17/2025House

  13. Rereferred to Committee

    3/17/2025House

  14. 1st Reading

    3/4/2025House

  15. Referred to Committee

    3/4/2025House

  16. Transmitted to House

    3/3/2025Senate

  17. 3rd Reading

    3/3/2025Senate

  18. 2nd Reading

    3/1/2025Senate

  19. Committee Report

    2/26/2025Senate

  20. Committee Executive Action

    2/26/2025Senate

  21. Hearing

    2/24/2025Senate

  22. Referred to Committee

    2/20/2025Senate

  23. 1st Reading

    2/20/2025Senate

  24. Introduced

    2/19/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/12/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/19/2025

    PDF

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