2017 Montana Legislature

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HOUSE BILL NO. 401

INTRODUCED BY D. SKEES, J. O'HARA, B. TSCHIDA, K. WAGONER

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS; REQUIRING DISCLOSURE REPORTS TO BE FILED FOR ELECTIONS HELD BY POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS; REMOVING THE EXCEPTION FROM CAMPAIGN FINANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN LOCAL CANDIDATES AND POLITICAL COMMITTEES, CERTAIN SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND CERTAIN SPECIAL DISTRICTS; AMENDING SECTIONS 13-1-101, 13-37-201, 13-37-205, AND 13-37-225, 13-37-226, AND 13-37-228, AND 13-37-226, MCA; AND REPEALING SECTION 13-37-206, MCA."

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

 

     NEW SECTION.  Section 1.  Reports to be filed for all elections -- EXCEPTIONS. (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN 13-37-226(3):

     (1)(A) A A political committee shall file reports required by this chapter for all elections, including elections held by a political subdivision.; AND

     (2)(B) A A person who makes an election communication, an electioneering communication, or an independent expenditure shall file reports required by this chapter for all elections, including elections held by a political subdivision.

     (2) A CANDIDATE OR POLITICAL COMMITTEE IS EXEMPT FROM THE PROVISIONS OF 13-37-201 AND 13-37-205 IF THE CANDIDATE OR POLITICAL COMMITTEE DOES NOT RECEIVE ANY CONTRIBUTIONS OR MAKE ANY EXPENDITURES, NOT INCLUDING THE CANDIDATE'S FILING FEE, IN A CAMPAIGN.

 

     Section 2.  Section 13-1-101, MCA, is amended to read:

     "13-1-101.  Definitions. As used in this title, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following definitions apply:

     (1)  "Active elector" means an elector whose name has not been placed on the inactive list due to failure to respond to confirmation notices pursuant to 13-2-220 or 13-19-313.

     (2)  "Active list" means a list of active electors maintained pursuant to 13-2-220.

     (3)  "Anything of value" means any goods that have a certain utility to the recipient that is real and that is ordinarily not given away free but is purchased.

     (4)  "Application for voter registration" means a voter registration form prescribed by the secretary of state that is completed and signed by an elector, is submitted to the election administrator, and contains voter registration information subject to verification as provided by law.

     (5)  "Ballot" means a paper ballot counted manually or a paper ballot counted by a machine, such as an optical scan system or other technology that automatically tabulates votes cast by processing the paper ballots.

     (6)  (a) "Ballot issue" or "issue" means a proposal submitted to the people at an election for their approval or rejection, including but not limited to an initiative, referendum, proposed constitutional amendment, recall question, mill levy question, school levy question, bond issue question, or ballot question. The term includes political subdivision ballot issues.

     (b)  For the purposes of chapters 35 and 37, an issue becomes a "ballot issue" upon certification by the proper official that the legal procedure necessary for its qualification and placement on the ballot has been completed, except that a statewide issue becomes a "ballot issue" upon preparation and transmission by the secretary of state of the form of the petition or referral to the person who submitted the proposed issue.

     (7)  "Ballot issue committee" means a political committee specifically organized to support or oppose a ballot issue.

     (8)  "Candidate" means:

     (a)  an individual who has filed a declaration or petition for nomination, acceptance of nomination, or appointment as a candidate for public office as required by law;

     (b)  for the purposes of chapter 35, 36, or 37, an individual who has solicited or received and retained contributions, made expenditures, or given consent to an individual, organization, political party, or committee to solicit or receive and retain contributions or make expenditures on the individual's behalf to secure nomination or election to any office at any time, whether or not the office for which the individual will seek nomination or election is known when the:

     (i)  solicitation is made;

     (ii) contribution is received and retained; or

     (iii) expenditure is made; or

     (c)  an officeholder who is the subject of a recall election.

     (9)  (a) "Contribution" means:

     (i)  the receipt by a candidate or a political committee of an advance, gift, loan, conveyance, deposit, payment, or distribution of money or anything of value to support or oppose a candidate or a ballot issue;

     (ii) an expenditure, including an in-kind expenditure, that is made in coordination with a candidate or ballot issue committee and is reportable by the candidate or ballot issue committee as a contribution;

     (iii) the receipt by a political committee of funds transferred from another political committee; or

     (iv) the payment by a person other than a candidate or political committee of compensation for the personal services of another person that are rendered to a candidate or political committee.

     (b)  "Contribution" does not mean services provided without compensation by individuals volunteering a portion or all of their time on behalf of a candidate or political committee or meals and lodging provided by individuals in their private residences for a candidate or other individual.

     (10) "Coordinated", including any variations of the term, means made in cooperation with, in consultation with, at the request of, or with the express prior consent of a candidate or political committee or an agent of a candidate or political committee.

     (11) "De minimis act" means an action, contribution, or expenditure that is so small that it does not trigger registration, reporting, disclaimer, or disclosure obligations under Title 13, chapter 35 or 37, or warrant enforcement as a campaign practices violation under Title 13, chapter 37.

     (12) "Election" means a general, special, or primary election held pursuant to the requirements of state law, regardless of the time or purpose.

     (13) "Election administrator" means the county clerk and recorder or the individual designated by a county governing body to be responsible for all election administration duties, except that with regard to school elections not administered by the county, the term means the school district clerk.

     (14) (a) "Election communication" means the following forms of communication to support or oppose a candidate or ballot issue:

     (i)  a paid advertisement broadcast over radio, television, cable, or satellite;

     (ii) paid placement of content on the internet or other electronic communication network;

     (iii) a paid advertisement published in a newspaper or periodical or on a billboard;

     (iv) a mailing; or

     (v)  printed materials.

     (b)  The term does not mean:

     (i)  an activity or communication for the purpose of encouraging individuals to register to vote or to vote, if that activity or communication does not mention or depict a clearly identified candidate or ballot issue UNLESS IF THAT ACTIVITY OR COMMUNICATION MENTIONS OR DEPICTS A VOTING POSITION, DOES NOT MENTION, DEPICT, OR ADVOCATE A CLEARLY IDENTIFIED POSITION ON A CANDIDATE, OR BALLOT ISSUE;

     (ii) a communication that does not support or oppose a candidate or ballot issue;

     (iii) a bona fide news story, commentary, blog, or editorial distributed through the facilities of any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, internet website, or other periodical publication of general circulation;

     (iv) a communication by any membership organization or corporation to its members, stockholders, or employees; or

     (v)  a communication that the commissioner determines by rule is not an election communication.

     (15) (a) "Electioneering communication" means a paid communication that is publicly distributed by radio, television, cable, satellite, internet website, newspaper, periodical, billboard, mail, or any other distribution of printed materials, that is made within 60 days of the initiation of voting in an election, that does not support or oppose a candidate or ballot issue, that can be received by more than 100 recipients in the district voting on the candidate or ballot issue, and that:

     (i)  refers to one or more clearly identified candidates in that election;

     (ii) depicts the name, image, likeness, or voice of one or more clearly identified candidates in that election; or

     (iii) refers to a political party, ballot issue, or other question submitted to the voters in that election.

     (b)  The term does not mean:

     (i)  a bona fide news story, commentary, blog, or editorial distributed through the facilities of any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, internet website, or other periodical publication of general circulation unless the facilities are owned or controlled by a candidate or political committee;

     (ii) a communication by any membership organization or corporation to its members, stockholders, or employees;

     (iii) a commercial communication that depicts a candidate's name, image, likeness, or voice only in the candidate's capacity as owner, operator, or employee of a business that existed prior to the candidacy;

     (iv) a communication that constitutes a candidate debate or forum or that solely promotes a candidate debate or forum and is made by or on behalf of the person sponsoring the debate or forum; or

     (v)  a communication that the commissioner determines by rule is not an electioneering communication.

     (16) "Elector" means an individual qualified to vote under state law.

     (17) (a) "Expenditure" means a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, promise, pledge, or gift of money or anything of value:

     (i) made by a candidate or political committee to support or oppose a candidate or a ballot issue; or

     (ii) used or intended for use in making independent expenditures or in producing electioneering communications.

     (b)  "Expenditure" does not mean:

     (i)  services, food, or lodging provided in a manner that they are not contributions under subsection (9);

     (ii) payments by a candidate for a filing fee or for personal travel expenses, food, clothing, lodging, or personal necessities for the candidate and the candidate's family;

     (iii) the cost of any bona fide news story, commentary, blog, or editorial distributed through the facilities of any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, or other periodical publication of general circulation; or

     (iv) the cost of any communication by any membership organization or corporation to its members or stockholders or employees.

     (18) "Federal election" means an election in even-numbered years in which an elector may vote for individuals for the office of president of the United States or for the United States congress.

     (19) "General election" means an election that is held for offices that first appear on a primary election ballot, unless the primary is canceled as authorized by law, and that is held on a date specified in 13-1-104.

     (20) "Inactive elector" means an individual who failed to respond to confirmation notices and whose name was placed on the inactive list pursuant to 13-2-220 or 13-19-313.

     (21) "Inactive list" means a list of inactive electors maintained pursuant to 13-2-220 or 13-19-313.

     (22) (a) "Incidental committee" means a political committee that is not specifically organized or operating for the primary purpose of supporting or opposing candidates or ballot issues but that may incidentally become a political committee by receiving a contribution or making an expenditure.

     (b)  For the purpose of this subsection (22), the primary purpose is determined by the commissioner by rule and includes criteria such as the allocation of budget, staff, or members' activity or the statement of purpose or goal of the person or individuals that form the committee.

     (23) "Independent committee" means a political committee organized for the primary purpose of receiving contributions and making expenditures that is not controlled either directly or indirectly by a candidate and that does not coordinate with a candidate in conjunction with the making of expenditures except pursuant to the limits set forth in 13-37-216(1).

     (24) "Independent expenditure" means an expenditure for an election communication to support or oppose a candidate or ballot issue made at any time that is not coordinated with a candidate or ballot issue committee.

     (25) "Individual" means a human being.

     (26) "Legally registered elector" means an individual whose application for voter registration was accepted, processed, and verified as provided by law.

     (27) "Mail ballot election" means any election that is conducted under Title 13, chapter 19, by mailing ballots to all active electors.

     (28) "Person" means an individual, corporation, association, firm, partnership, cooperative, committee, including a political committee, club, union, or other organization or group of individuals or a candidate as defined in subsection (8).

     (29) "Place of deposit" means a location designated by the election administrator pursuant to 13-19-307 for a mail ballot election conducted under Title 13, chapter 19.

     (30) (a) "Political committee" means a combination of two or more individuals or a person other than an individual who receives a contribution or makes an expenditure:

     (i)  to support or oppose a candidate or a committee organized to support or oppose a candidate or a petition for nomination;

     (ii) to support or oppose a ballot issue or a committee organized to support or oppose a ballot issue; or

     (iii) to prepare or disseminate an election communication, an electioneering communication, or an independent expenditure.

     (b)  Political committees include ballot issue committees, incidental committees, independent committees, and political party committees.

     (c)  A candidate and the candidate's treasurer do not constitute a political committee.

     (d)  A political committee is not formed when a combination of two or more individuals or a person other than an individual makes an election communication, an electioneering communication, or an independent expenditure of $250 or less.

     (31) "Political party committee" means a political committee formed by a political party organization and includes all county and city central committees.

     (32) "Political party organization" means a political organization that:

     (a)  was represented on the official ballot in either of the two most recent statewide general elections; or

     (b)  has met the petition requirements provided in Title 13, chapter 10, part 5.

     (33) "Political subdivision" means a county, consolidated municipal-county government, municipality, special purpose district, or any other unit of government, except school districts, having authority to hold an election.

     (34) "Polling place election" means an election primarily conducted at polling places rather than by mail under the provisions of Title 13, chapter 19.

     (35) "Primary" or "primary election" means an election held on a date specified in 13-1-107 to nominate candidates for offices filled at a general election.

     (36) "Provisional ballot" means a ballot cast by an elector whose identity or eligibility to vote has not been verified as provided by law.

     (37) "Provisionally registered elector" means an individual whose application for voter registration was accepted but whose identity or eligibility has not yet been verified as provided by law.

     (38) "Public office" means a state, county, municipal, school, or other district office that is filled by the people at an election.

     (39) "Random-sample audit" means an audit involving a manual count of ballots from designated races and ballot issues in precincts selected through a random process as provided in 13-17-503.

     (40) "Registrar" means the county election administrator and any regularly appointed deputy or assistant election administrator.

     (41) "Regular school election" means the school trustee election provided for in 20-20-105(1).

     (42) "School election" has the meaning provided in 20-1-101.

     (43) "School election filing officer" means the filing officer with whom the declarations for nomination for school district office were filed or with whom the school ballot issue was filed.

     (44) "School recount board" means the board authorized pursuant to 20-20-420 to perform recount duties in school elections.

     (45) "Signature envelope" means an envelope that contains a secrecy envelope and ballot and that is designed to:

     (a)  allow election officials, upon examination of the outside of the envelope, to determine that the ballot is being submitted by someone who is in fact a qualified elector and who has not already voted; and

     (b)  allow it to be used in the United States mail.

     (46) "Special election" means an election held on a day other than the day specified for a primary election, general election, or regular school election.

     (47) "Special purpose district" means an area with special boundaries created as authorized by law for a specialized and limited purpose.

     (48) "Statewide voter registration list" means the voter registration list established and maintained pursuant to 13-2-107 and 13-2-108.

     (49) "Support or oppose", including any variations of the term, means:

     (a)  using express words, including but not limited to "vote", "oppose", "support", "elect", "defeat", or "reject", that call for the nomination, election, or defeat of one or more clearly identified candidates, the election or defeat of one or more political parties, or the passage or defeat of one or more ballot issues submitted to voters in an election; or

     (b)  otherwise referring to or depicting one or more clearly identified candidates, political parties, or ballot issues in a manner that is susceptible of no reasonable interpretation other than as a call for the nomination, election, or defeat of the candidate in an election, the election or defeat of the political party, or the passage or defeat of the ballot issue or other question submitted to the voters in an election.

     (50) "Transfer form" means a form prescribed by the secretary of state that may be filled out by an elector to transfer the elector's registration when the elector's residence address has changed within the county.

     (51) "Valid vote" means a vote that has been counted as valid or determined to be valid as provided in 13-15-206.

     (52) "Voted ballot" means a ballot that is:

     (a)  deposited in the ballot box at a polling place;

     (b)  received at the election administrator's office; or

     (c)  returned to a place of deposit.

     (53) "Voting system" or "system" means any machine, device, technology, or equipment used to automatically record, tabulate, or process the vote of an elector cast on a paper ballot."

 

     Section 3.  Section 13-37-201, MCA, is amended to read:

     "13-37-201.  Campaign treasurer. (1) Except as provided in 13-37-206, each Each EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN [SECTION 1(2)], EACH candidate and each political committee shall appoint one campaign treasurer and certify the full name and complete address of the campaign treasurer pursuant to this section.

     (2)  (a) A candidate shall file the certification within 5 days after becoming a candidate RECEIVING A CONTRIBUTION OR MAKING AN EXPENDITURE.

     (b)  Except as provided in subsection (2)(c), a political committee shall file the certification, which must include an organizational statement and the name and address of all officers, if any, within 5 days after it makes an expenditure or authorizes another person to make an expenditure on its behalf, whichever occurs first.

     (c)  A political committee that is seeking to place a ballot issue before the electors shall file the certification, including the information required in subsection (2)(b), within 5 days after the issue becomes a ballot issue, as defined in 13-1-101(6)(b).

     (3)  The certification of a candidate or political committee must be filed with the commissioner."

 

     Section 4.  Section 13-37-205, MCA, is amended to read:

     "13-37-205.  Campaign depositories. Except as provided in 13-37-206, each Each EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN [SECTION 1(2)], EACH candidate and each political committee shall designate one primary campaign depository for the purpose of depositing all contributions received and disbursing all expenditures made by the candidate or political committee. The candidate or political committee may also designate one secondary depository in each county in which an election is held and in which the candidate or committee participates. Deputy campaign treasurers may make deposits in and expenditures from secondary depositories when authorized to do so as provided in 13-37-202(2). Only a bank, credit union, savings and loan association, or building and loan association authorized to transact business in Montana may be designated as a campaign depository. The candidate or political committee shall file the name and address of each designated primary and secondary depository at the same time and with the same officer with whom the candidate or committee files the name of the candidate's or committee's campaign treasurer pursuant to 13-37-201. This section does not prevent a political committee or candidate from having more than one campaign account in the same depository, but a candidate may not utilize the candidate's regular or personal account in the depository as a campaign account."

 

     Section 5.  Section 13-37-225, MCA, is amended to read:

     "13-37-225.  Reports of contributions and expenditures required. (1) Except as provided in 13-37-206, each Each candidate and political committee shall file with the commissioner periodic reports of contributions and expenditures made by or on the behalf of a candidate or political committee.

     (2)  In lieu of all contribution and expenditure reports required by this chapter, the commissioner shall accept copies of the reports filed by candidates for congress and president of the United States and their political committees pursuant to the requirements of federal law.

     (3)  A person who makes an election communication, electioneering communication, or independent expenditure is subject to reporting and disclosure requirements as provided in chapters 35 and 37 of this title."

 

     Section 6.  Section 13-37-226, MCA, is amended to read:

     "13-37-226.  Time for filing reports. (1) Candidates for a state office filled by a statewide vote of all the electors of Montana, statewide ballot issue committees, and political committees that receive a contribution or make an expenditure supporting or opposing a candidate for statewide office or a statewide ballot issue shall file reports electronically as follows:

     (a)  quarterly, due on the 5th day following a calendar quarter, beginning with the calendar quarter in which:

     (i)  funds are received or expended during the year or years prior to the election year that the candidate expects to be on the ballot; or

     (ii) an issue becomes a ballot issue, as defined in 13-1-101(6)(b);

     (b)  on the 1st day of each month from March through November during a year in which an election is held;

     (c)  on the 15th day preceding the date on which an election is held;

     (d)  within 2 business days after receiving a contribution of $200 or more if received between the 20th day before the election and the day of the election;

     (e)  not more than 20 days after the date of the election; and

     (f)  on the 10th day of March and September of each year following an election until the candidate or political committee files a closing report as specified in 13-37-228(3).

     (2)  Candidates for a state district office or any other public office, including but not limited to candidates for the legislature, the public service commission, or a district court judge, and political committees that receive contributions or make expenditures to support or oppose a particular state district or local candidate or issue, unless the political committee is already reporting under the provisions of subsection (1), shall file reports as follows:

     (a)  on the 35th and 12th days preceding the date on which an election is held;

     (b)  within 2 business days after receiving a contribution of $100 or more if received between the 17th day before the election and the day of the election;

     (c)  not more than 20 days after the date of the election; and

     (d)  on the 10th day of March and September of each year following an election until the candidate or political committee files a closing report as specified in 13-37-228(3).

     (3)  Candidates for any other public office and political committees that receive contributions or make expenditures to support or oppose a particular local issue shall file the reports specified in subsection (2) only if the total amount of contributions received or the total amount of funds expended for all elections in a campaign, excluding the filing fee paid by the candidate, exceeds $500, except as provided in 13-37-206.

     (4)(3)  Independent and political party committees not required to report under subsection (1) or (2) shall file:

     (a)  a report on the 90th, 35th, and 12th days preceding the date of an election in which they participate by making an expenditure;

     (b)  a report within 2 business days of receiving a contribution of $500 or more if received between the 17th day before the election and the day of the election;

     (c)  a report within 2 business days of making an expenditure of $500 or more for an electioneering communication if the expenditure is made between the 17th day before the election and the day of the election;

     (d)  a report not more than 20 days after the date of the election in which they participate by making an expenditure; and

     (e)  a report on a date to be prescribed by the commissioner for a closing report at the close of each calendar year.

     (5)(4)  An incidental committee not required to report under subsection (1) or (2) shall file a report:

     (a)  on the 90th, 35th, and 12th days preceding the date of an election in which it participates by making an expenditure;

     (b)  within 2 business days of receiving a contribution as provided in 13-37-232(1) of $500 or more if received between the 17th day before an election and the day of the election;

     (c)  within 2 business days of making an expenditure of $500 or more for an electioneering communication if the expenditure is made between the 17th day before the election and the day of the election;

     (d)  not more than 20 days after the date of the election in which it participated; and

     (e)  on a date to be prescribed by the commissioner for a closing report at the close of each calendar year.

     (6)(5)  The commissioner shall post on the commissioner's website:

     (a)  all reports filed under this section within 7 business days of filing; and

     (b)  for each election the calendar dates that correspond with the filing requirements of subsections (1), (2), (4) (3), and (5) (4).

     (7)(6)  The commissioner may require reports filed under this section to be submitted electronically.

     (8)(7)  Except as provided in subsections (1)(d), (2)(b), (3)(b), (3)(c), (4)(b), and (4)(c), (5)(b), and (5)(c), all reports required by this section must be complete as of the 5th day before the date of filing as specified in 13-37-228(2) and this section.

     (9)(8)  A political committee may file a closing report prior to the date prescribed by rule or set in 13-37-228(3) and after the complete termination of its contribution and expenditure activity during an election cycle."

 

     Section 7.  Section 13-37-228, MCA, is amended to read:

     "13-37-228.  Time periods covered by reports. Reports filed under 13-37-225 and 13-37-226 must be filed to cover the following time periods even though no contributions or expenditures may have been received or made during the period:

     (1)  The initial report must cover all contributions received or expenditures made by a candidate or political committee prior to the time that a person became a candidate or a political committee, as defined in 13-1-101, until the 5th day before the date of filing of the appropriate initial report pursuant to 13-37-226(1) through (5) (4). Reports filed by political committees organized to support or oppose a statewide ballot issue must disclose all contributions received and expenditures made prior to the time an issue becomes a ballot issue by transmission of the petition to the proponent of the ballot issue or referral by the secretary of state even if the issue subsequently fails to garner sufficient signatures to qualify for the ballot.

     (2)  Subsequent periodic reports must cover the period of time from the closing of the previous report to 5 days before the date of filing of a report pursuant to 13-37-226(1) through (5) (4). For the purposes of this subsection, the reports required under 13-37-226(1)(d), (2)(b), (3)(b), (3)(c), (4)(b), and (4)(c), (5)(b), and (5)(c) are not periodic reports and must be filed as required by 13-37-226(1)(d), (2)(b), (3)(b), (3)(c), (4)(b), and (4)(c), (5)(b), and (5)(c), as applicable.

     (3)  Closing reports must cover the period of time from the last periodic report to the final closing of the books of the candidate or political committee. A candidate or political committee shall file a closing report following an election in which the candidate or political committee participates whenever all debts and obligations are satisfied and further contributions or expenditures will not be received or made that relate to the campaign unless the election is a primary election and the candidate or political committee will participate in the general election."

 

     SECTION 6.  SECTION 13-37-226, MCA, IS AMENDED TO READ:

     "13-37-226.  Time for filing reports. (1) Candidates for a state office filled by a statewide vote of all the electors of Montana, statewide ballot issue committees, and political committees that receive a contribution or make an expenditure supporting or opposing a candidate for statewide office or a statewide ballot issue shall file reports electronically as follows:

     (a)  quarterly, due on the 5th day following a calendar quarter, beginning with the calendar quarter in which:

     (i)  funds are received or expended during the year or years prior to the election year that the candidate expects to be on the ballot; or

     (ii) an issue becomes a ballot issue, as defined in 13-1-101(6)(b);

     (b)  on the 1st day of each month from March through November during a year in which an election is held;

     (c)  on the 15th day preceding the date on which an election is held;

     (d)  within 2 business days after receiving a contribution of $200 or more if received between the 20th day before the election and the day of the election;

     (e)  not more than 20 days after the date of the election; and

     (f)  on the 10th day of March and September of each year following an election until the candidate or political committee files a closing report as specified in 13-37-228(3).

     (2)  Candidates for a state district office, including but not limited to candidates for the legislature, the public service commission, or a district court judge, and political committees that receive contributions or make expenditures to support or oppose a particular state district candidate or issue, unless the political committee is already reporting under the provisions of subsection (1), shall file reports as follows:

     (a)  on the 35th and 12th days preceding the date on which an election is held;

     (b)  within 2 business days after receiving a contribution of $100 or more if received between the 17th day before the election and the day of the election;

     (c)  not more than 20 days after the date of the election; and

     (d)  on the 10th day of March and September of each year following an election until the candidate or political committee files a closing report as specified in 13-37-228(3).

     (3)  Candidates for any other public office and political committees that receive contributions or make expenditures to support or oppose a particular local issue shall file the reports specified in subsection (2) only if the total amount of contributions received or the total amount of funds expended for all elections in a campaign, excluding the filing fee paid by the candidate, exceeds $500, except as provided in 13-37-206.

     (4)  Independent and political party committees not required to report under subsection (1) or (2) shall file:

     (a)  a report on the 90th, 35th, and 12th days preceding the date of an election in which they participate by making an expenditure;

     (b)  a report within 2 business days of receiving a contribution of $500 or more if received between the 17th day before the election and the day of the election;

     (c)  a report within 2 business days of making an expenditure of $500 or more for an electioneering communication if the expenditure is made between the 17th day before the election and the day of the election;

     (d)  a report not more than 20 days after the date of the election in which they participate by making an expenditure; and

     (e)  a report on a date to be prescribed by the commissioner for a closing report at the close of each calendar year.

     (5)  An incidental committee not required to report under subsection (1) or (2) shall file a report:

     (a)  on the 90th, 35th, and 12th days preceding the date of an election in which it participates by making an expenditure;

     (b)  within 2 business days of receiving a contribution as provided in 13-37-232(1) of $500 or more if received between the 17th day before an election and the day of the election;

     (c)  within 2 business days of making an expenditure of $500 or more for an electioneering communication if the expenditure is made between the 17th day before the election and the day of the election;

     (d)  not more than 20 days after the date of the election in which it participated; and

     (e)  on a date to be prescribed by the commissioner for a closing report at the close of each calendar year.

     (6)  The commissioner shall post on the commissioner's website:

     (a)  all reports filed under this section within 7 business days of filing; and

     (b)  for each election the calendar dates that correspond with the filing requirements of subsections (1), (2), (4), and (5).

     (7)  The commissioner may require reports filed under this section to be submitted electronically.

     (8)  Except as provided in subsections (1)(d), (2)(b), (4)(b), (4)(c), (5)(b), and (5)(c), all reports required by this section must be complete as of the 5th day before the date of filing as specified in 13-37-228(2) and this section.

     (9)  A political committee may file a closing report prior to the date prescribed by rule or set in 13-37-228(3) and after the complete termination of its contribution and expenditure activity during an election cycle."

 

     NEW SECTION.  Section 7.  Repealer. The following section of the Montana Code Annotated is repealed:

13-37-206.         Exception for certain school districts and certain special districts.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Section 8.  Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 13, chapter 37, part 2, and the provisions of Title 13, chapter 37, part 2, apply to [section 1].

- END -

 


Latest Version of HB 401 (HB0401.03)
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