MontanaBill would let Montana lawyers practice without joining State Bar
If enacted, the bill would let attorneys admitted in Montana practice without joining the State Bar or paying dues, starting July 1, 2026.
What it does
Lawyers admitted to practice in Montana would not have to join the State Bar or pay its dues to keep their licenses. The bill would take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.
Argument forLawyers could avoid paying dues to a group that may take political positions they oppose.
Argument againstThe State Bar could have less dues money to support its work if lawyers stop paying.
More detail
If enacted, the bill would bar the state from requiring covered lawyers to join the State Bar or pay its dues to keep a law license. It would apply to attorneys admitted by the Montana Supreme Court to practice law in Montana. The bill sets July 1, 2026, as its effective date.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Died
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- May 23(S) Died in ProcessDied
- Apr 10(H) 2nd ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded Do Concur. Result: fail.Lower
- Apr 10(H) Scheduled for 2nd ReadingMinor
- Apr 8(H) Committee Report - (H) Judiciary
- Vote recorded be_concurred_in. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 8(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Judiciary
- Apr 3(H) Hearing - (H) Judiciary
- Jan 27(H) 1st Reading
- Jan 27(H) Referred to Committee - (H) JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 27(S) Transmitted to House
- Jan 24(S) 3rd Reading
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 24(S) Scheduled for 3rd ReadingMinor
- Jan 23(S) 2nd ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 23(S) Scheduled for 2nd ReadingMinor
- Jan 22(S) Committee Report - (S) Judiciary
- Vote recorded do_pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 22(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Judiciary
- Jan 15(S) Hearing - (S) Judiciary
- Jan 13(S) Referred to Committee - (S) JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 7(S) 1st Reading
- Jan 6(S) Introduced
- Jan 6(LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
- 2024
- Dec 24(LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
- Dec 24(LC) Draft in Assembly
- Dec 24(LC) Draft in Final Drafter Review
- Dec 23(LC) Draft in Input/Proofing
- Dec 17(LC) Draft in Edit
- Nov 26(LC) Draft in Legal Review
- Aug 28(LC) Drafter AssignedIntroduced
Government & Ethics