Bill > HB227

This bill establishes a contingent litigation fund within the state special revenue fund specifically designed to help occupational licensing boards and programs cover legal expenses related to disciplinary proceedings. The fund will be managed by the Department of Labor and Industry and can pay legal fees and costs that exceed $15,000 for disciplinary actions involving licensing boards created under Title 2, chapter 15, part 17, or recognized licensing programs. To support the fund, the department may set an annual fee of up to $25 per licensee, which will be collected as part of initial or renewal application fees, but only if the fund balance is below $300,000 on March 31 of that fiscal year. The fund is primarily intended for boards or programs with annual revenues of $200,000 or less, based on a three-year rolling average. The bill specifies that the department cannot use these funds to pay penalties or sanctions ordered against a board or program, and any interest or unspent money will remain in the account. The legislation is set to be effective from July 1, 2025, and will terminate on June 30, 2031, with any remaining funds to be distributed proportionally among the covered boards and programs.

Business and Industry

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0421