Bill to raise municipal court claims limit aims to speed abatement cases for cities

Sen. Mike Yakawich described SB398 as a narrow change to raise municipal court jurisdiction for claims involving local government from $25,000 to $50,000 so cities can pursue abatement and cleanup work without routing cases to busier district courts. Yakawich said municipal courts are familiar with code enforcement and can resolve abatement actions more quickly, reducing neighborhood blight and protracted delays.

Kelly Lynch, executive director of the Montana League of Cities and Towns, and Bill Cole, mayor of Billings, testified in support, recounting local abatement cases that required demolition, asbestos remediation and other large cleanups that can reach tens of thousands of dollars. Wyeth Friday, Billings planning and community services director, told the committee that higher thresholds would allow cities to act promptly on properties with open storage, unsecured buildings and other public‑safety hazards that otherwise can linger for years when routed through district court.

No opponents spoke in committee. Proponents emphasized the measure would affect only municipalities of a certain size (statutory municipal court thresholds remain in place) and argued the change would let local judges, familiar with municipal code enforcement, provide faster remedies for neighborhoods.

The committee heard municipal officials and city staff describe cases where district court dockets produced lengthy delays; sponsors said the raised limit would be used sparingly for properties requiring major abatement work.