HOUSE BILL NO. 279
INTRODUCED BY R. DRISCOLL
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REGULATING PAYMENTS MADE TO PERSONS GATHERING SIGNATURES ON BALLOT ISSUES; REQUIRING DETAILS OF PAYMENTS TO PAID SIGNATURE GATHERERS IN REPORTS TO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLITICAL PRACTICES; AND AMENDING SECTION 13-27-112, MCA."
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
NEW SECTION. Section 1. Payment to signature gatherer. (1) A paid signature gatherer:
(a) must be paid on an hourly basis; and
(b) may not receive incentive or bonus pay to increase payments beyond the hourly wage provided in subsection (1)(a).
(2) A paid signature gatherer may receive lodging, meal, and travel expenses comparable to the provisions in 2-18-501 through 2-18-503.
Section 2. Section 13-27-112, MCA, is amended to read:
"13-27-112. Required reports -- time and manner of reporting -- exceptions -- penalty. (1) Except as provided in this section, a person who employs a paid signature gatherer shall file with the commissioner reports containing those matters required by Title 13, chapter 37, part 2, for a political committee organized to support or oppose a ballot issue or for an independent committee that receives contributions and makes expenditures in connection with a ballot issue, as applicable. If a person who employs a paid signature gatherer is required by Title 13, chapter 37, part 2, to file a report pursuant to those provisions, the person need not file a duplicate report pursuant to this section, but shall report the matter required by subsection (2) as part of that report. As used in this section, "a person who employs a paid signature gatherer" means a political party, political committee, or other person seeking to place a ballot issue before the electors and does not mean an individual who is part of the same signature gathering company, partnership, or other business organization that directly hires, supervises, and pays an individual who is a signature gatherer.
(2) The reports required by subsection (1) must include the a separate listing of the payment for wages and for expenses as provided in [section 1], as well as the total amount paid to a paid signature gatherer.
(3) Reports filed pursuant to this section must be filed at the same time, in the same manner, including the certification required by 13-37-231, and upon the same forms as required for reports filed pursuant to Title 13, chapter 37, part 2, except as the rules of the commissioner may otherwise provide.
(4) A person who knowingly violates subsection (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished as provided by law."
NEW SECTION. Section 3. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 13, chapter 27, part 1, and the provisions of Title 13, chapter 27, part 1, apply to [section 1].
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Latest Version of HB 279 (HB0279.01)
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