House Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to establish statewide uniformity for guaranteed income programs in Montana by prohibiting local governments from administering such programs. The bill, titled the "Work Protection Act," asserts that unless explicitly authorized by state law, political subdivisions—including counties, cities, and school districts—cannot adopt or enforce any ordinances or rules that facilitate payments to individuals under a guaranteed income program. The Attorney General is tasked with enforcing this prohibition by issuing cease and desist orders to non-compliant political subdivisions and pursuing injunctive relief if necessary.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 7-1-111 of the Montana Code Annotated to include a new provision that explicitly denies local governments the power to administer guaranteed income programs. This amendment aligns with the bill's intent to centralize control over such programs at the state level, ensuring that local entities cannot create their own regulations or systems for guaranteed income. The definitions provided in the bill clarify what constitutes a guaranteed income program and outline the scope of political subdivisions affected by this legislation.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 7-1-111
HB0604_1(1): 7-1-111
HB0604_1: 7-1-111