Staff recommends that City Council approve the contract between the City of Billings and Crowley Fleck for Montana Legislative Lobbying Services for a total of $75,000 for the initial 21 month contract term with two 2-year optional extensions.

An RFP for Montana Legislative Lobbying Services was issued on July 2, 2026 and closed on July 15, 2026. Based on the submissions received, it is recommended that Crowley Fleck provide Montana Legislative Lobbying Services effective October 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028 with two optional renewals of two-years each.

Montana Legislative Lobbying Services have been provided by Crowley Fleck since 2019 with the current contract extension set to end on June 30, 2027. According to the terms of the original contract, the City of Billings has elected to terminate the existing contract after providing thirty (30) days notice and enter into a new contract that would end on June 30, 2028.

A new RFP was issued on July 2, 2026, closing at 5:00pm MT on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, with the following criteria: Length of Contract: two (2) year contract with up to two (2) two-year renewals. Specifically, the requested services may include but are not limited to the following:

1. Gain significant knowledge of City operations and initiatives, utilizing the best available information and materials provided by the City to represent and advocate for the interest of the City; coordinate with the City to understand the City’s position with respect to legislative and regulatory issues and communicate the positions to legislators, legislative committees, state agencies, regulators, and other parties;
2. Utilize best available information to advise and counsel the City with respect to committee actions, regulatory changes, legal decisions, and industry trends in Montana;
3. Communicate closely and regularly and attend meetings with City Administration, City Council, and others specified in order to perform the responsibilities assigned and to request assistance as needed on legislative and executive matters of interest or impact to the City;
4. Introduce the City Administrator, City Council, and City staff to key elected state officials; enhance relationships between the city and the State of Montana, state agencies, and other municipalities through established  professional networks; monitor key state-level staff changes and report changes to the City Administrator; within 48 hours of receiving a request, make a good faith effort to schedule meetings, appointments, or conference calls with appropriate parties to discuss issues of interest or concern to the City; 
5. Familiarize the City leadership with Montana’s political environment, helpful background information, and relevant briefing materials; accompany City representatives to and around the Montana State Capitol; introduce City representatives to Committee Members prior to legislative hearings, and if necessary, be available to escort City representatives to state agency meetings;
6. In advance of the biennial Montana legislative session, meet with the City Administrator and City Council to coordinate and support the development of the City’s legislative platform; meet with members of the City leadership team to identify and hone legislative priorities; identify, track, and monitor legislative activities, including extemporaneous intelligence, and committee meetings and hearings;
7. Prepare and submit to the City Administrator electronic reports of the status of legislative bills of interest or impact to the City, including but not necessarily limited to, briefings and information bulletins pertinent to any legislation; prepare legislative summaries of issues affecting the City’s interests and help the City develop a strategic approach to legislative priorities
8. During the biennial Montana legislative session, attend Legislature during all official legislative days, including scheduled, extended, or special legislative sessions and meetings, except for established legislative recesses; 
9. During the biennial Montana legislative session, provide written reports each week and provide updates of significant pieces of legislation identified during the pre-session preparation; 
10. Provide the City with a mid-session report and post-analysis of each session of the Montana Legislature;
11. Track state-level elections to advise the City Administrator and City Council of candidates supportive of City priorities and initiatives; update City Administrator and City Council of ballot initiatives impacting the City’s interests;
12. Work with the City Administrator’s office, City Council, and the Yellowstone County legislative delegation developing special or general legislation in keeping with or in support of, the City’s adopted legislative program; 
13. Work closely with the representatives of the Montana League of Cities and Towns, the Montana Municipal Insurance Authority, and lobbyists from the Yellowstone County area on state matters of common interest; act as in informational resources for, and attend meetings with the Yellowstone County legislative delegation as required by the City;
14. Monitor proposals and activities in meetings regarding state administrative and agency hearings, as well as in rule challenges in the Division of Administrative hearings, including a review of agendas, notifications provided to the City as pertinent issues arise, and inclusion on reports stating the outcome of such meetings;
15. Testify before and present written information to legislative committees, subcommittees, interim committees, and individual legislators on behalf of the City; draft public testimony and other written materials for presentation on behalf of the City;
16. Remain apprised of and provide information and insight about executive orders, decisions, requirements, or executed legislation issued from the Montana Governor’s Office, or similar relevant information from its Cabinet and agencies, that impacts the operation and governing of the City;
17. Prepare and submit to the City Administrator a monthly written activity report describing all lobbying activity during the reporting period; update the City Administrator with reports of the rules or regulations, and other state policies or programs that affect the City and its citizens directly or indirectly;
18. Serve as source of information and as a legislative liaison, even during off-term periods; and
19. Be responsible for appropriate reports and registration with the Commissioner of Political Practices as required by MCA Title 5, Chapter 7, parts 1 through 3 (inclusive).

The selection committee consisted of Kevin Iffland, Interim City Administrator, Jessica Fust, Building Official, Ana Vickers, Planning Manager, Andy Zoeller, Finance Director, Rusty Logan, Assistant Director of Transit, and Council Member Bill Kennedy.

3 responses to the RFP were received and responses were scored according to the following matrix:

• Experience representing municipal governments on Montana legislative issues (20 points)
• Understanding of the City’s needs, priorities, and state opportunities (20 points)
• Qualifications and relationships of assigned personnel (20 points)
• Proposed approach to advocacy, communication, reporting, and coordination with City staff (20 points)
• Cost competitiveness and overall value (20 points)
   

The top two responses to the RFP were selected for interviews.
Based on the committee's scores and the interviews, Crowley Fleck was selected as the best proposal.

The proposed contract is a total of $75,000 from October 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028.
The funding for Montana Legislative Lobbyist services is paid by administration and the proposed cost is currently budgeted within the FY27 budget.
Securing a contract for Montana Legislative Lobbying services ahead of the Montana legislative session increases the City's opportunities for meaningful impacts in Helena by staying informed of legislative issues and connections with legislators. Effective lobbying could have significant fiscal effects.

Mayor and City Council, Administration, and affected departments.

City Council may: Approve the contract or disapprove the contract and provide further direction to staff.