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House Local Government Committee hears bill to let residents seek court orders against failing special-district boards
Summary
The House Local Government Committee heard testimony on House Bill 68, which would let residents and local governments seek writs of mandamus to compel special-district boards to perform legal duties; no committee vote was taken.
The House Local Government Committee in Helena on Tuesday heard public testimony on House Bill 68, a measure sponsored by Representative Steve Gist that would create a legal path for residents to seek court orders against special-district boards that fail to perform duties required under state law.
Representative Steve Gist, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the proposal “started in this room about 4 years ago” after recurring complaints about publicly funded boards that failed to post minutes, give public notice or otherwise follow Montana law. “When the county commissioner set up a board and fund it, they have no more say over that board,” Gist said, describing the problem HB 68 aims to address.
The bill narrows its scope to special districts. Committee staff member…
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