- 2025
69th Legislature 2025 HB0547.3
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 547
1 HOUSE BILL NO. 547
2 INTRODUCED BY S. DEMAROIS, D. HARVEY, S. NOVAK, D. HAWK, M. LEE, J. LYNCH
3
4 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REVISING LAWS RELATED TO FIRE PROTECTION IN
5 CONSOLIDATED CITY-COUNTY GOVERNMENTS; REMOVING LANGUAGE FOR EXISTING VOLUNTEER
6 FIRE DEPARTMENTS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF A CONSOLIDATED CITY-COUNTY GOVERNMENT;
7 CLARIFYING THAT THERE MUST BE A FIRE CHIEF FROM THE MUNICIPALITY OF A CONSOLIDATED
8 CITY-COUNTY GOVERNMENT THAT CONSOLIDATED UNDER OPTION 1; AND AMENDING SECTION 7-3-
9 1345 SECTIONS 7-33-2110 AND 7-33-2316, MCA; AND REPEALING SECTIONS 7-33-2110 AND 7-33-2316,
10 MCA.”
11
12 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
13
14 (Refer to Introduced Bill)
15 Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert:
16
17 NEW SECTION. Section 1. The fire department of the municipality
18 must have a director of fire service or a fire chief, who shall manage and control the department in the manner
19 prescribed by the ordinances of the municipality.
20
21 Section 7-33-2110, MCA, is amended to read:
22 "7-33-2110.
23 (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the adoption of a city-county
24 consolidated local government has no effect on the existence of a volunteer fire department, a volunteer fire
25 company, or a fire district created and legally in existence pursuant to the provisions of this part unless
26 otherwise specifically provided by charter.
27 (2) A right or benefit of any member of a volunteer fire district, company, or department created
28 pursuant to the provisions of this part in a retirement or pension plan or payments provided under Title 19, - 2025
69th Legislature 2025 HB0547.3
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HB 547
1 chapter 17, may not be abrogated by the adoption of a city-county consolidated local government unless
2 otherwise specifically provided by charter."
3
4 Section 7-33-2316, MCA, is amended to read:
5 "7-33-2316.
6 (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the adoption of a city-county
7 consolidated local government has no effect on the existence of a volunteer fire department, a volunteer fire
8 company, or a fire district created and legally in existence pursuant to the provisions of this part unless
9 otherwise specifically provided by charter.
10 (2) A right or benefit of any member of a volunteer fire district, company, or department created
11 pursuant to the provisions of this part in a retirement or pension plan or payments provided under Title 19,
12 chapter 17, may not be abrogated by the adoption of a city-county consolidated local government unless
13 otherwise specifically provided by charter."
14
15
16 NEW SECTION. Section 4. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an
17 integral part of Title 7, chapter 3, part 11, and the provisions of Title 7, chapter 3, part 11, apply to [section 1].
18 - END -