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Sponsor and bail agents push 10% minimum premium on surety bonds to curb predatory practices
Summary
HB 729 would set a 10% minimum premium for surety bail bonds in Montana. Local bail agents, prosecutors and city officials backed the measure as a public safety and consumer protection reform; opponents called it price fixing and raised concerns about market interference.
Representative Nellie Nicholl, sponsor of House Bill 729, told the committee the bill establishes a minimum 10% bail premium on surety bonds to promote fairness, protect consumers and prevent undercutting that can undermine judicial intent and public safety.
Multiple Montana bail agents and the Montana Bail Agents Association testified in support, saying out‑of‑state operators and zero‑down arrangements in some jurisdictions create incentives…
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