Montana HB 200 enacted in 2023 prohibits sanctuary policies and requires state and local agencies to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Billings has no formal sanctuary stance and complies with state law.
Montana HB 200 enacted by the 2023 legislature codified at MCA Title 7 prohibits any state or local government entity from adopting policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The law requires honoring ICE detainer requests, sharing information about immigration status when requested, and bars any sanctuary city designation. Billings does not have a formal sanctuary policy and Billings Police Department generally cooperates with federal partners. Billings sits near the Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservations where tribal sovereignty creates separate jurisdictional considerations, but federal immigration authority remains paramount even on tribal lands. School and healthcare access is unaffected by HB 200.
Local officials adopting sanctuary policies in violation of HB 200 may face state withholding of grant funds and legal challenges from the Montana Attorney General. Individual officers refusing to honor lawful detainers risk discipline through their employing agency.
Billings, MT
Montana preempts local minimum wage ordinances under MCA section 39-3-409. The state minimum is CPI-adjusted to roughly $10.55 per hour. Billings cannot enac...
Billings, MT
Billings has no hotel worker retention ordinance requiring new owners to retain existing staff. Montana is a right-to-work and at-will employment state with ...
Billings, MT
Billings hotel guests pay roughly 11 percent in Montana lodging taxes: 7 percent lodging facility tax plus 4 percent sales-on-lodging tax. Montana has no gen...
Billings, MT
Public urination and defecation are misdemeanors in Billings under BMC Chapter 25 disorderly conduct and Montana state indecent exposure laws. Downtown bar d...
Billings, MT
Billings cites residents for hosting loud parties under disorderly conduct provisions in BMC Chapter 25 and quiet-hours noise rules in BMC Chapter 17. Repeat...
Billings, MT
Billings prohibits aggressive panhandling near ATMs, bus stops, and outdoor dining under BMC Chapter 25. Passive sign-holding remains protected speech, but c...
See how Billings's sanctuary policy preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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