Sponsor proposes 10% minimum premium for bail bonds after a fatal incident cited as rationale

Representative Nellie Nicholl introduced House Bill 729 to set a statutory minimum premium — 10 percent of the bond amount — for surety bail bonds. The sponsor said the change would prevent predatory practices such as “0‑down” advertising and the use of outstanding bond debt to coerce defendants into unlawful or dangerous activity.

Nicholl recounted a Butte case where she said a bondsman used debt leverage and promises of debt reduction to coerce defendants into assisting with apprehending others, which culminated in a violent confrontation and the death of an innocent bystander. Sponsor testimony framed the 10 percent minimum as a preventive, consumer‑protection measure aligned with several other states that maintain statutory minimum premiums for bail bonds.

Proponents argued a uniform minimum protects consumers and prevents undercutting of local agents; they cited Florida, California and North Carolina as jurisdictions with minimum premium rules that limit deceptive marketing and help preserve financial integrity of surety systems. Opponents from the insurance commission asked questions about rate filings and whether the legislative change could conflict with insurance compact obligations or statutory rate‑filing frameworks; proponents said they had negotiated many other reforms with the auditor’s office and emphasized the 10 percent minimum as a core consumer protection.

The committee took testimony and discussion but did not record a vote that day.