---
type: "Bill"
title: "Generally revise attorney fee awards"
description: "Generally revise attorney fee awards"
jurisdiction: "us/states/mt"
legislature: "Montana Legislature"
session: "2025"
identifier: "SB 39"
citation: "Montana SB 39 (2025)"
classification: ["bill"]
subjects: ["Civil Procedure"]
status: "enacted"
primary_sponsors: ["Greg Hertz"]
version_count: 71
action_count: 46
vote_count: 9
first_action: "2024-10-24T20:35:03+00:00"
last_action: "2025-05-13T19:52:36+00:00"
source: "openstates"
source_identifier: "ocd-bill/ab8533f2-7e2b-4d22-aee3-11f20f94ebaf"
source_url: "https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0613?open_tab=sum"
source_hash: "aeca88de165c0f380108778fc2e9dac0bf722add5d5ad88cdee1c393c13eac45"
vintage: "2026-07-01"
source_snapshot: "https://data.openstates.org/daily/2026-07-01/public.pgdump"
retrieved_at: "2026-07-06"
confidence: "reported"
tags: ["legislation", "bill", "us-mt"]
---

# Montana SB 39 (2025) — Generally revise attorney fee awards

## Version chain

The bill's text revisions, in order — the diff chain from filing to enrollment.

1. **LC0613.pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=266745)
2. **SB0039.001.002_Amendments-in-Context_final-full.pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=274059)
3. **SB0039.002.001_Amendments-in-Context_final-condensed.pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=305636)
4. **SB0039.002.001_Amendments-in-Context_final-full.pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=305442)
5. **SB0039.002.002_Amendments-in-Context_final-condensed.pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=305637)
6. **SB0039.002.002_Amendments-in-Context_final-full.pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=305628)
7. **SB0039.003.001_Amendments-in-Context_final-full.pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=307674)
8. **SB0039.003.001_Amendments-in-Context_final-not condensed.pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=307675)
9. **SB0039.003.002_Amendments-in-Context_final-full.pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=307813)
10. **SB0039.003.002_Amendments-in-Context_final-not condensed.pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=307817)
11. **SB0039_1(1).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=267807)
12. **SB0039_1(10).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=276698)
13. **SB0039_1(2).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=267808)
14. **SB0039_1(3).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=275097)
15. **SB0039_1(4).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=275766)
16. **SB0039_1(5).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=275788)
17. **SB0039_1(6).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=275790)
18. **SB0039_1(7).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=275791)
19. **SB0039_1(8).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=275792)
20. **SB0039_1(9).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=275793)
21. **SB0039_1.pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=267806)
22. **SB0039_2(1).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=275795)
23. **SB0039_2(10).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=306677)
24. **SB0039_2(11).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=306678)
25. **SB0039_2(12).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=306679)
26. **SB0039_2(13).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=306680)
27. **SB0039_2(2).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=275796)
28. **SB0039_2(3).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=275797)
29. **SB0039_2(4).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=275804)
30. **SB0039_2(5).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=275805)
31. **SB0039_2(6).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=275807)
32. **SB0039_2(7).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=276699)
33. **SB0039_2(8).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=277497)
34. **SB0039_2(9).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=306318)
35. **SB0039_2.pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=275794)
36. **SB0039_3(1).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=306764)
37. **SB0039_3(2).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=307925)
38. **SB0039_3(3).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=307926)
39. **SB0039_3(4).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=307927)
40. **SB0039_3(5).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=307928)
41. **SB0039_3.pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=306763)
42. **SB0039_4(1).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=307930)
43. **SB0039_4(10).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=309002)
44. **SB0039_4(11).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=309500)
45. **SB0039_4(12).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=311277)
46. **SB0039_4(13).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=311278)
47. **SB0039_4(2).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=307934)
48. **SB0039_4(3).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=307935)
49. **SB0039_4(4).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=307948)
50. **SB0039_4(5).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=307950)
51. **SB0039_4(6).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=307951)
52. **SB0039_4(7).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=307952)
53. **SB0039_4(8).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=307953)
54. **SB0039_4(9).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=307954)
55. **SB0039_4.pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=307929)
56. **SB0039_X(1).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=311280)
57. **SB0039_X(10).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=322569)
58. **SB0039_X(11).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=322570)
59. **SB0039_X(12).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=322571)
60. **SB0039_X(13).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=324919)
61. **SB0039_X(14).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=325909)
62. **SB0039_X(15).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=327387)
63. **SB0039_X(2).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=311281)
64. **SB0039_X(3).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=312290)
65. **SB0039_X(4).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=312291)
66. **SB0039_X(5).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=312292)
67. **SB0039_X(6).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=312549)
68. **SB0039_X(7).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=312550)
69. **SB0039_X(8).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=317088)
70. **SB0039_X(9).pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=320654)
71. **SB0039_X.pdf** (committee substitute) — [source](https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=311279)

## Votes

- Do Pass — **33–17** (pass) · upper
- Do Pass — **32–18** (pass) · upper
- Do Concur — **60–39** (pass) · lower
- Do Concur As Amended — **60–40** (pass) · lower
- be_concurred_in_as_amended — **12–8** (pass) · lower
- Do Pass — **31–19** (pass) · upper
- do_pass_as_amended — **9–0** (pass) · upper
- Do Pass — **32–17** (pass) · upper
- AMD-SB0039.003.002 Fitzpatrick S DO PASS — **81–19** (pass) · lower

## Sponsors

- Greg Hertz — primary (person)

## Timeline

The legislative action history — every referral, reading, and vote.

- **2024-10-24T20:35:03+00:00** (LC) Drafter Assigned
- **2024-11-26T22:19:29+00:00** (LC) Draft in Legal Review
- **2024-11-26T22:48:03+00:00** (LC) Draft in Edit
- **2024-12-05T15:52:06+00:00** (LC) Draft in Input/Proofing
- **2024-12-09T18:09:30+00:00** (LC) Draft in Final Drafter Review
- **2024-12-09T21:49:47+00:00** (LC) Draft in Assembly
- **2024-12-10T19:22:16+00:00** (LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
- **2024-12-12T16:54:09+00:00** (LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
- **2024-12-12T17:47:00+00:00** (S) Introduced
- **2025-01-06T21:39:00+00:00** (S) First Reading `reading-1`
- **2025-01-07T21:40:00+00:00** (S) Referred to Committee - (S) Judiciary `referral-committee`
- **2025-01-22T19:12:18+00:00** (S) Hearing - (S) Judiciary
- **2025-01-24T20:15:00+00:00** (S) Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended - (S) Judiciary `committee-passage`
- **2025-01-24T20:31:00+00:00** (S) Committee Report--Bill Passed as Amended - (S) Judiciary `committee-passage`
- **2025-01-27T20:32:00+00:00** (S) 2nd Reading Pass Consideration `reading-2`
- **2025-01-29T20:00:00+00:00** (S) Scheduled for 2nd Reading `reading-2`
- **2025-01-29T22:58:00+00:00** (S) 2nd Reading Passed `reading-2, reading-2`
- **2025-01-30T10:33:00+00:00** (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading `reading-3`
- **2025-01-30T22:12:00+00:00** (S) 3rd Reading Passed `passage, reading-3`
- **2025-01-30T22:56:55+00:00** (S) Transmitted to House
- **2025-01-31T18:57:52+00:00** (H) Referred to Committee - (H) Judiciary `referral-committee`
- **2025-01-31T20:13:01+00:00** (H) First Reading `reading-1`
- **2025-03-19T15:06:02+00:00** (H) Hearing - (H) Judiciary
- **2025-03-24T23:56:54+00:00** (H) Hearing Canceled - (H) Judiciary
- **2025-03-25T00:01:07+00:00** (H) Hearing - (H) Judiciary
- **2025-03-26T13:52:27+00:00** (H) Hearing Canceled - (H) Judiciary
- **2025-04-03T13:50:28+00:00** (H) Hearing - (H) Judiciary
- **2025-04-08T16:50:04+00:00** (H) Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended - (H) Judiciary
- **2025-04-08T21:23:00+00:00** (H) Committee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended - (H) Judiciary
- **2025-04-10T14:30:00+00:00** (H) Scheduled for 2nd Reading `reading-2`
- **2025-04-10T15:35:00+00:00** (H) 2nd Reading Motion to Amend Carried `reading-2`
- **2025-04-10T15:36:00+00:00** (H) 2nd Reading Concurred as Amended `reading-2, reading-2`
- **2025-04-11T21:00:00+00:00** (H) Scheduled for 3rd Reading `reading-3`
- **2025-04-11T23:22:00+00:00** (H) 3rd Reading Concurred `passage, reading-3`
- **2025-04-12T01:02:05+00:00** (H) Returned to Senate with Amendments
- **2025-04-14T19:00:00+00:00** (S) Scheduled for 2nd Reading `reading-2`
- **2025-04-14T19:13:00+00:00** (S) 2nd Reading House Amendments Concurred `amendment-amendment, amendment-passage, reading-2, reading-2`
- **2025-04-15T19:00:00+00:00** (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading `reading-3`
- **2025-04-15T22:05:00+00:00** (S) 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House `passage, passage, reading-3, reading-3`
- **2025-04-15T22:34:00+00:00** (S) Sent to Enrolling
- **2025-04-17T05:54:24+00:00** (S) Returned from Enrolling
- **2025-04-22T23:00:10+00:00** (S) Signed by President `passage`
- **2025-05-01T18:00:14+00:00** (H) Signed by Speaker `passage`
- **2025-05-01T18:36:33+00:00** (S) Transmitted to Governor `executive-receipt`
- **2025-05-09T02:15:00+00:00** (S) Signed by Governor `executive-signature`
- **2025-05-13T19:52:36+00:00** Chapter Number Assigned `became-law`

## Source

OpenStates / OpenCivicData bulk snapshot [2026-07-01](https://data.openstates.org/daily/2026-07-01/public.pgdump); origin `ocd-bill/ab8533f2-7e2b-4d22-aee3-11f20f94ebaf`. Confidence: reported (aggregated from official Montana legislature records).