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Bill would clarify how small towns secure law enforcement, add mediation and arbitration steps
Summary
The House Local Government Committee considered House Bill 333, which would codify a process for third‑class cities and towns without police departments to secure law enforcement services from counties, require the recipient municipality to pay, and use the MSU Local Government Center for facilitated talks and, if needed, binding arbitration.
HELENA — The House Local Government Committee heard House Bill 333 on a statutory framework for how small Montana towns and third‑class cities obtain law enforcement when they lack a municipal police department.
Representative Courtney Sprunger, the bill sponsor, said the measure would preserve interlocal contracting but provide a clear statutory process where no agreement exists: the county sheriff (acting on behalf of the county) would provide services, the municipality receiving services would be required to pay, and the Montana State University Local Government Center would facilitate discussions; if negotiations fail, binding arbitration would set the price.
Brian Thompson of the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association outlined the bill's rationale: a 1907…
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