13-27-402. Committees to prepare arguments for and against ballot issues. (1) The arguments advocating approval or rejection of the ballot issue and rebuttal arguments shall be submitted to the secretary of state by committees appointed as provided in this section.
     (2) The following committees shall be composed of one senator known to favor the measure, appointed by the president of the senate; one representative known to favor the measure, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and one individual who need not be a member of the legislature, appointed by the first two members:
     (a) the committee advocating approval of an act referred to the people or of a constitutional amendment proposed by the legislature; or
     (b) the committee advocating approval of an act referred to the people by referendum petition.
     (3) The committee advocating rejection of an act referred to the people or of a constitutional amendment proposed by the legislature shall be composed of one senator appointed by the president of the senate; one representative appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and one individual who need not be a member of the legislature, appointed by the first two members. Whenever possible, the members shall be known to have opposed the issue.
     (4) The following shall be three-member committees and shall be appointed by the person submitting the petition to the secretary of state under the provisions of 13-27-202:
     (a) the committee advocating approval of a ballot issue proposed by any type of initiative petition; and
     (b) the committee advocating rejection of any ballot issue that is a legislative act referred to the people by referendum petition.
     (5) A committee advocating rejection of a ballot issue proposed by any type of initiative petition shall be composed of five members. The governor, attorney general, president of the senate, and speaker of the house of representatives shall each appoint one member, and the fifth member shall be appointed by the first four members. All members shall be known to favor rejection of the issue.
     (6) No person may be required to serve on any committee under this section, and the person making an appointment must have written acceptance of appointment from the appointee.

     History: En. 37-128 by Sec. 14, Ch. 342, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 37-128(2); amd. Sec. 214, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 549, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 18, Ch. 298, L. 1987.