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Bill

LC 1902

Repeal county licensing of itinerant vendors

2025 Regular Session

Montana bill eliminates county licensing requirements for itinerant vendors, reducing local regulatory oversight and potentially cutting county revenue from licensing fees.

(LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
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Bill Summary · LC 1902

Legislative bill overview

LC 1902 proposes to eliminate county-level licensing requirements for itinerant vendors—mobile or temporary merchants who travel between locations to conduct business. The bill would remove the regulatory framework counties currently use to oversee these vendors through licensing processes.

Why is this important

County licensing systems generate revenue through licensing fees and provide local governments with oversight mechanisms to ensure consumer protections, tax compliance, and public safety standards. Repealing this authority could reduce county income, limit local regulatory control over temporary commercial activities, and potentially affect consumer protection mechanisms currently enforced at the county level.

Potential points of contention

  • Local revenue loss: Counties may lose licensing fee revenue that funds local administration and consumer protection programs
  • Regulatory gap: Elimination of county oversight could create a void in monitoring itinerant vendor activities unless state-level regulation replaces it, potentially reducing consumer protections and tax enforcement
  • Business impact variation: Rural counties with limited vendor activity may see minimal impact, while urban counties with significant itinerant vendor markets could experience greater fiscal and regulatory consequences
  • Consumer protection concerns: Without licensing requirements, mechanisms for complaint resolution, fraud prevention, and business accountability may weaken

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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