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HB137 • 2025

Revise securities laws relating to fees paid by certain licensees

Revise securities laws relating to fees paid by certain licensees

Labor
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Steve Fitzpatrick
Last action
2025-05-16
Official status
Chapter Number Assigned
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify the exact effective date of the bill.

Changes to Securities Fees for Licensees

This law changes the fees that certain people who sell securities or give investment advice must pay, making them uniform regardless of whether they are from in-state or out-of-state.

What This Bill Does

  • Removes different fee rates for in-state and out-of-state salespeople and investment adviser representatives.
  • Sets a $100 registration fee for both in-state and out-of-state salespeople and investment advisers, with the same renewal and transfer fees.
  • Eliminates the need to pay additional fees if someone has already paid before this law was passed.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who sell securities or give investment advice in Montana, whether they are from within the state or out-of-state.

Terms To Know

Securities
Financial products like stocks and bonds that can be bought and sold.
Investment adviser representative
A person who gives investment advice to clients on behalf of an investment firm.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The exact effective date is not specified in the bill text.
  • It applies retroactively to fees paid since May 9, 2019.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

COMMITTEE

Plain English: Amendment 1 changes the fee structure for salespeople and investment adviser representatives by eliminating the distinction between in-state and out-of-state registrants, setting a uniform $100 fee for original registration, annual renewal, and transfer.

  • Sets a new uniform fee of $100 for both in-state and out-of-state salespeople or investment adviser representatives for original registration with each employer.
  • Establishes the same $100 fee for annual renewals and transfers for all registrants, regardless of their state of residence.
  • The amendment does not specify any changes to other sections of the bill or provide additional details beyond the specified fee adjustments.

Bill History

  1. 2025-05-16 HOUSE

    Chapter Number Assigned

  2. 2025-05-12 HOUSE

    (H) Signed by Governor

  3. 2025-05-05 HOUSE

    (H) Transmitted to Governor

  4. 2025-05-02 SENATE

    (S) Signed by President

  5. 2025-05-01 HOUSE

    (H) Signed by Speaker

  6. 2025-04-24 HOUSE

    (H) Returned from Enrolling

  7. 2025-04-22 HOUSE

    (H) Scheduled for 3rd Reading

  8. 2025-04-22 HOUSE

    (H) 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate

  9. 2025-04-22 HOUSE

    (H) Sent to Enrolling

  10. 2025-04-18 HOUSE

    (H) Scheduled for 2nd Reading

  11. 2025-04-18 HOUSE

    (H) 2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred

  12. 2025-04-16 SENATE

    (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading

  13. 2025-04-16 SENATE

    (S) 3rd Reading Concurred

  14. 2025-04-16 SENATE

    (S) Returned to House with Amendments

  15. 2025-04-15 SENATE

    (S) Scheduled for 2nd Reading

  16. 2025-04-15 SENATE

    (S) 2nd Reading Motion to Amend Carried

  17. 2025-04-15 SENATE

    (S) 2nd Reading Concurred as Amended

  18. 2025-03-20 SENATE

    (S) Committee Report--Bill Concurred

  19. 2025-03-19 SENATE

    (S) Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred

  20. 2025-02-27 SENATE

    (S) Hearing

  21. 2025-02-17 SENATE

    (S) Referred to Committee

  22. 2025-01-28 SENATE

    (S) First Reading

  23. 2025-01-27 HOUSE

    (H) 3rd Reading Passed

  24. 2025-01-27 HOUSE

    (H) Transmitted to Senate

  25. 2025-01-24 HOUSE

    (H) 2nd Reading Passed

  26. 2025-01-20 HOUSE

    (H) Committee Report--Bill Passed as Amended

  27. 2025-01-17 HOUSE

    (H) Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended

  28. 2025-01-15 HOUSE

    (H) Fiscal Note Printed

  29. 2025-01-14 HOUSE

    (H) Fiscal Note Unsigned

  30. 2025-01-13 HOUSE

    (H) Hearing

  31. 2025-01-13 HOUSE

    (H) Fiscal Note Received

  32. 2025-01-08 HOUSE

    (LC) Draft Delivered to Requester

  33. 2025-01-08 HOUSE

    (H) Introduced

  34. 2025-01-08 HOUSE

    (H) Fiscal Note Requested

  35. 2025-01-08 HOUSE

    (H) Referred to Committee

  36. 2025-01-08 HOUSE

    (H) First Reading

  37. 2025-01-06 HOUSE

    (LC) Draft Ready for Delivery

  38. 2025-01-04 HOUSE

    (LC) Draft in Assembly

  39. 2025-01-03 HOUSE

    (LC) Draft in Input/Proofing

  40. 2025-01-03 HOUSE

    (LC) Draft in Final Drafter Review

  41. 2025-01-01 HOUSE

    (LC) Draft in Edit

  42. 2024-12-31 HOUSE

    (LC) Draft in Legal Review

  43. 2024-12-07 HOUSE

    (LC) Drafter Assigned

Official Summary Text

Revise securities laws relating to fees paid by certain licensees

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
- 2025
69th Legislature 2025 HB 137
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 137
ENROLLED BILL
AN ACT REVISING SECURITIES REGISTRATION FEES TO ELIMINATE THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN IN-
STATE AND OUT-OF-STATE SALESPERSONS OR INVESTMENT ADVISER REPRESENTATIVES;
AMENDING SECTION 30-10-209, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE AND A
RETROACTIVE APPLICABILITY DATE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Section 30-10-209, MCA, is amended to read:
"30-10-209. Fees. The following fees must be paid in advance under the provisions of parts 1 through
3 of this chapter:
(1) (a) For the registration of securities by notification, coordination, or qualification or for notice
filing of a federal covered security, there must be paid to the commissioner for the initial year of registration or
notice filing a fee of $200 for the first $100,000 of initial issue or portion of the first $100,000 in this state, based
on offering price, plus 1/10 of 1% for any excess over $100,000, with a maximum fee of $1,000.
(b) Each succeeding year, a registration of securities or a notice filing of a federal covered security
may be renewed, prior to its termination date, for an additional year upon consent of the commissioner and
payment of a renewal fee to be computed at 1/10 of 1% of the aggregate offering price of the securities that are
to be offered in this state during that year. The renewal fee may not be less than $200 or more than $1,000.
The registration or the notice filing may be amended to increase the amount of securities to be offered.
(c) If a registrant or issuer of federal covered securities sells securities in excess of the aggregate
amount registered for sale in this state or for which a notice filing has been submitted, the registrant or issuer
may file an amendment to the registration statement or notice filing to include the excess sales. If the registrant
or issuer of a federal covered security fails to file an amendment before the expiration date of the registration
order or notice, the registrant or issuer shall pay a filing fee for the excess sales of three times the amount
- 2025
69th Legislature 2025 HB 137
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HB 137
ENROLLED BILL
calculated in the manner specified in subsection (1)(b). Registration or notice of the excess securities is
effective retroactively to the date of the existing registration or notice.
(d) Each series, portfolio, or other subdivision of an investment company or similar issuer is treated
as a separate issuer of securities. The issuer shall pay a notice filing fee to be calculated as provided in
subsections (1)(a) through (1)(c). The notice filing fee collected by the commissioner must be deposited in the
state special revenue account provided for in 30-10-115. The issuer shall pay a fee of $50 for each filing made
for the purpose of changing the name of a series, portfolio, or other subdivision of an investment company or
similar issuer.
(2) (a) For registration of a broker-dealer or investment adviser, the fee is $400 for original
registration and $400 for each annual renewal.
(b) (i) For registration of a salesperson or investment adviser representative, the fee:
(A) for an out-of-state salesperson or investment adviser representative is $100 for original
registration with each employer, $100 for each annual renewal, and $100 for each transfer; and
(B) for an in-state salesperson or investment adviser representative is $50 for original registration
with each employer, $50 for each annual renewal, and $50 for each transfer.
(ii) A salesperson who is registered as an investment adviser representative with a broker-dealer
registered as an investment adviser is not required to pay the fee in subsection (2)(b)(i)(A) or (2)(b)(i)(B) to
register as an investment adviser representative.
(iii) A salesperson or investment adviser representative who has paid the fee for registration,
renewal, or transfer required by this section prior to [the effective date of this act] is not required to pay a new or
additional fee for a registration, renewal, or transfer that occurred prior to [the effective date of this act].
(c) For a federal covered adviser, the fee is $400 for the initial notice filing and $400 for each
annual renewal.
(3) For certified or uncertified copies of any documents filed with the commissioner, the fee is the
cost to the department.
(4) For a request for an exemption under 30-10-105(15), the fee must be established by the
commissioner by rule. For a request for any other exemption or an exception to the provisions of parts 1
through 3 of this chapter, the fee is $100.
- 2025
69th Legislature 2025 HB 137
- 3 - Authorized Print Version – HB 137
ENROLLED BILL
(5) All fees are considered fully earned when received. In the event of overpayment, only those
amounts in excess of $10 may be refunded.
(6) (a) Except as provided in subsection (6)(b), all fees, miscellaneous charges, fines, and
penalties collected by the commissioner pursuant to parts 1 through 3 of this chapter and the rules adopted
under parts 1 through 3 of this chapter must be deposited in the general fund.
(b) From March 7, 2013, through June 30, 2027, the fees collected under subsection (1)(b), the
notice filing fees provided for in subsection (1)(d), and the amounts collected for examination costs under 30-
10-210 are subject to deposit as provided in 30-10-115(2). On or after July 1, 2027, the notice filing fees
provided for in subsection (1)(d) and the amounts collected for examination costs under 30-10-210 are subject
to deposit as provided in 30-10-115(2)."
Section 2. Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.
Section 3. Retroactive applicability. [This act] applies retroactively, within the meaning of 1-2-109,
to registration fees paid on or after May 9, 2019.
- END -
I hereby certify that the within bill,
HB 137, originated in the House.
___________________________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
___________________________________________
Speaker of the House
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
___________________________________________
President of the Senate
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
HOUSE BILL NO. 137
INTRODUCED BY S. FITZPATRICK
AN ACT REVISING SECURITIES REGISTRATION FEES TO ELIMINATE THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN IN-
STATE AND OUT-OF-STATE SALESPERSONS OR INVESTMENT ADVISER REPRESENTATIVES;
AMENDING SECTION 30-10-209, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE AND A
RETROACTIVE APPLICABILITY DATE.