The bill establishes a Contingent Litigation Fund specifically for occupational licensing boards and programs in Montana. This fund will be used to cover legal fees and costs associated with the discipline of licenses issued by these boards, provided that the costs exceed $15,000. The Department of Labor and Industry is granted rulemaking authority to manage the distribution of the fund, including setting a fee for licensees that cannot exceed $25 per year. The fund will only be applicable to boards or programs with a revenue of $200,000 or less based on a three-year rolling average. Additionally, any unspent funds at the end of the fiscal year will remain in the account.

The bill also amends Section 17-7-502 of the Montana Code Annotated to include the new fund as a statutory appropriation, allowing for spending without the need for a biennial legislative appropriation. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will terminate on June 30, 2031, with provisions for the disbursement of any remaining funds to the relevant boards or programs at that time.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 17-7-502
HB0227_1(1): 17-7-502
HB0227_1(2): 17-7-502
HB0227_1(3): 17-7-502
HB0227_1(4): 17-7-502
HB0227_1(5): 17-7-502
HB0227_1(6): 17-7-502
HB0227_1(7): 17-7-502
HB0227_1(8): 17-7-502
HB0227_1(9): 17-7-502
HB0227_1: 17-7-502
HB0227_X(1): 17-7-502
HB0227_X(2): 17-7-502
HB0227_X(3): 17-7-502
HB0227_X(4): 17-7-502
HB0227_X(5): 17-7-502
HB0227_X: 17-7-502