_____________ bill NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING LAWS RELATED TO EXEMPT PERSONAL STAFF; AUTHORIZING EXEMPT PERSONAL STAFF FOR MAJORITY AND MINORITY LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE of representatives AND THE SENATE; reducing the number of exempt personal staff for the public service commission to offset the number of exempt staff for the Legislature; AMENDING SECTION 2-18-104, MCA; and PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE."

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

Section 1. Section 2-18-104, MCA, is amended to read:

"2-18-104. Exemption for personal staff -- limit. (1) Subject to the limitations in subsections (2) and (3), members of a personal staff are exempt from parts 1 through 3 and 10.

(2) The personal staff who are exempted by subsection (1) may not exceed 10 unless otherwise approved by the department according to criteria developed by the department. Under no circumstances may the total exemptions of each elected official exceed 15.

(3) The number of members of the personal staff of the public service commission who are exempted by subsection (1) may not exceed 10 6.

(4) The number of members of the personal staff of the leadership of the legislature who are exempted by subsection (1) may not exceed:

(a) one personal staff for the speaker of the house of representatives;

(b) one personal staff for the minority leader of the house of representatives;

(c) one personal staff for the president of the senate; and

(d) one personal staff for the minority leader of the senate."

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2021.