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, but only when 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. Additionally, the fund will not be utilized to pay costs or penalties against the boards or programs themselves.

The bill also amends Section 17-7-502 of the Montana Code Annotated to include this new fund as a statutory appropriation, allowing for spending without the need for a biennial legislative appropriation. The fund is set to be effective from July 1, 2025, and will terminate on June 30, 2031, at which point any remaining funds will be distributed to the relevant boards or programs.

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