MT HB227

Creates a contingent litigation fund within state special revenue to pay legal fees and costs for disciplinary proceedings conducted by occupational licensing boards and programs administered by the Department of Labor and Industry

Fund covers legal fees and costs only when a disciplinary proceeding exceeds $15,000, with the fund paying amounts above that threshold

Eligible boards and programs are those with revenue of $200,000 or less based on a 3-year rolling average; licensees pay a fee of up to $25 per year to fund the account

Fee collection stops when the fund balance exceeds $300,000 on March 31 of any fiscal year; fund cannot be used to pay penalties or sanctions ordered against a board

Effective July 1, 2025 and terminates June 30, 2031, with remaining funds distributed pro rata to covered boards and programs