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MontanaSB 56469th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate

Revise government transparency laws

Sponsored By: Kenneth Bogner (Republican)

Became Law

State GovernmentRevenue, State

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

State posts contract payments online

The law makes state procurement information a public record under Montana public records laws. The Department of Administration must run a website that shows each payment by a purchasing agency, including the contractor’s name, the purpose, and the amount. Agencies must keep procurement records and written determinations in the official contract file and manage them under state records rules. This increases public access to who the state pays and for what.

Cheaper state buys with flexible bidding

Agencies can reject all bids and buy directly from a supplier if a current public or catalog price received by bid opening is lower than the lowest responsible bid or beats the best proposal using the same scoring. They can make that purchase without the usual bid steps. Agencies may also buy office supplies from another supplier at a lower advertised, catalog, or discount price if the item matches the contract’s terms and quality. State office supply contracts must include a clause that acknowledges this option. Agencies can request an alternative buying method; the Department must decide within 30 days, may allow a trial, and must write rules if it proves successful. These steps can save money but may reduce chances for some bidders.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kenneth Bogner

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 386 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/18/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 50 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 48 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/15/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 97 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/14/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 96 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/5/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 48 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 47 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/16/2025Senate

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025Senate

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/5/2025Senate

  4. Signed by Speaker

    5/5/2025House

  5. Signed by President

    4/29/2025Senate

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/24/2025Senate

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/22/2025Senate

  8. 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House

    4/18/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading House Amendments Concurred

    4/17/2025Senate

  10. Returned to Senate with Amendments

    4/15/2025House

  11. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/15/2025House

  12. 2nd Reading Concurred

    4/14/2025House

  13. Fiscal Note Unsigned

    4/11/2025Senate

  14. Revised Fiscal Note Received

    4/11/2025Senate

  15. Revised Fiscal Note Requested

    4/10/2025Senate

  16. Committee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/9/2025House

  17. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/9/2025House

  18. Fiscal Note Printed

    4/9/2025Senate

  19. Fiscal Note Unsigned

    4/8/2025Senate

  20. Fiscal Note Received

    4/8/2025Senate

  21. Hearing

    4/7/2025House

  22. First Reading

    4/7/2025House

  23. Referred to Committee

    4/7/2025House

  24. Transmitted to House

    4/5/2025Senate

  25. 3rd Reading Passed

    4/5/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/22/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    4/9/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    3/31/2025

    PDF

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