House Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to transfer the registration of construction contractors to a department licensing program, emphasizing the protection of public health, safety, and welfare through enhanced regulation. The bill introduces new definitions, including that of a construction contractor, and grants the department the authority to create rules for implementing these regulations. Licensing requirements are established, necessitating a current license, proof of compliance with workers' compensation laws, and relevant applicant information. The bill also addresses unprofessional conduct, streamlining the definition to include fraud, misrepresentation, and non-compliance with laws, while establishing penalties such as fines and potential suspension from public works contracts.

In addition to revising regulations for construction contractors, the bill amends various sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to clarify definitions and regulations for home inspectors, including the establishment of a "standard prevailing rate of wages" for heavy and highway construction services. It modifies the fee structure for home inspectors, allowing the Department of Labor and Industry to set registration and renewal fees that cover administrative costs. The bill also clarifies liability issues regarding workers' compensation for home inspectors and introduces amendments related to workers' compensation and independent contractor regulations, including the definition of a "petroleum land professional." Significant changes include the repeal of certain registration requirements and the establishment of new sections in Title 37, with the bill set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_1(1): 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_1(2): 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_1(3): 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_1(4): 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_1(5): 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_1(6): 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_1(7): 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_1: 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_2(1): 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_2(10): 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_2(11): 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_2(12): 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_2(2): 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_2(3): 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_2(4): 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_2(5): 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_2(6): 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_2(7): 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_2(8): 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_2(9): 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401
HB0239_2: 18-2-413, 18-2-414, 37-1-401, 39-9-101, 39-9-102, 39-9-206, 39-9-207, 39-9-301, 39-9-303, 39-71-401