MT HB683

Counties, cities, and towns may not award construction contracts to contractors with a 24% or greater financial interest in entities that designed or engineered the same project, unless the conflict is disclosed with the bid submission

Contractors who fail to disclose conflicts must be deemed nonresponsive to the bid; governing bodies must announce all disclosed conflicts at bid opening and receive public comment before formal award

"Financial interest" is defined as ownership of 24% or more equity or serving as director, advisor, or active participant, with exceptions for mutual funds, civic organization offices, insurance policies, and government securities

Applies to county contracts, municipal contracts, county purchases or construction over $80,000, and county road contracts, with an exception for alternative project delivery contracts under Title 18

Governing bodies may determine and stipulate appropriate remedies for disclosed conflicts when formally awarding contracts