Billings City Council Special Work Session - July 8, 2026

The Billings City Council held a special work session on July 8, 2026, focusing primarily on domestic violence issues within the community. The meeting featured extensive discussions with local judges and law enforcement officials about the judicial process for domestic violence cases, including orders of protection, sentencing, and the challenges faced by pro se litigants. The council also reviewed the role and findings of Montana's Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission, which analyzes domestic violence homicides to identify systemic gaps and recommend legislative changes. Law enforcement highlighted recent efforts to serve outstanding warrants on high-risk individuals, noting success in these operations. The council discussed potential legislative priorities such as enhancing penalties for violating protective orders and restricting firearm access for convicted abusers. A proposal was made to form a city administration ad hoc committee to analyze domestic violence data, assess system effectiveness, and develop actionable recommendations within a six-month timeframe. No specific contract awards, RFPs, or procurement decisions were addressed during this session.