FrankGoortani/open-us-law huggingface dataset:
Mt. Const. art. VIII, § 7 — Article VIII / Section 7
MT Const., Article VIII, Section 7
Status: in_force

Tax appeals. The legislature shall provide independent appeal procedures for taxpayer grievances about appraisals, assessments, equalization, and taxes. The legislature shall include a review procedure at the local government unit level.
Mt. Const. art. XII, § 1 — Article XII / Section 1
MT Const., Article XII, Section 1
Status: in_force

Agriculture. (1) The legislature shall provide for a Department of Agriculture and enact laws and provide appropriations to protect, enhance, and develop all agriculture. (2) Special levies may be made on livestock and on agricultural commodities for disease control and indemnification, predator control, and livestock and commodity inspection, protection, research, and promotion. Revenue derived shall be used solely for the purposes of the levies.
Mt. Const. art. I, § 21 — Article I / Section 21
MT Const., Article I, Section 21
Status: in_force

Bail. All persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses, when the proof is evident or the presumption great.
Mt. Const. art. II, § 23 — Article II / Section 23
MT Const., Article II, Section 23
Status: in_force

Detention. No person shall be imprisoned for the purpose of securing his testimony in any criminal proceeding longer than may be necessary in order to take his deposition. If he can give security for his appearance at the time of trial, he shall be discharged upon giving the same; if he cannot give security, his deposition shall be taken in the manner provided by law, and in the presence of the accused and his counsel, or without their presence, if they shall fail to attend the examination after reasonable notice of the time and place thereof.
Mt. Const. art. XIV, § 10 — Article XIV / Section 10
MT Const., Article XIV, Section 10
Status: in_force

Petition signers. The number of qualified electors required for the filing of any petition provided for in this Article shall be determined by the number of votes cast for the office of governor in the preceding general election.
Mt. Const. art. XIII, § 7 — Article XIII / Section 7
MT Const., Article XIII, Section 7
Status: in_force

Marriage. Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state.: History: En. Sec. 1, Const. Initiative No. 96, approved Nov. 2, 2004.
Mt. Const. art. VIII, § 14 — Article VIII / Section 14
MT Const., Article VIII, Section 14
Status: in_force

Prohibited payments. Except for interest on the public debt, no money shall be paid out of the treasury unless upon an appropriation made by law and a warrant drawn by the proper officer in pursuance thereof.
Mt. Const. art. IV, § 1 — Article IV / Section 1
MT Const., Article IV, Section 1
Status: in_force

Ballot. All elections by the people shall be by secret ballot.
Mt. Const. art. I, § 1 — Article I / Section 1
MT Const., Article I, Section 1
Status: in_force

Accelerated effective date. Executed (certified by letter, December 4, 1974.
Mt. Const. art. I, § 32 — Article I / Section 32
MT Const., Article I, Section 32
Status: in_force

Civilian control of the military. The military shall always be in strict subordination to the civil power; no soldier shall in time of peace be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, except in the manner provided by law.
Mt. Const. art. IX, § 2 — Article IX / Section 2
MT Const., Article IX, Section 2
Status: in_force

Reclamation. (1) All lands disturbed by the taking of natural resources shall be reclaimed. The legislature shall provide effective requirements and standards for the reclamation of lands disturbed. (2) The legislature shall provide for a fund, to be known as the resource indemnity trust of the state of Montana, to be funded by such taxes on the extraction of natural resources as the legislature may from time to time impose for that purpose. (3) The principal of the resource indemnity trust shall forever remain inviolate in an amount of one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000), guaranteed by the state against loss or diversion. History: Amd. Const. Amend. No. 1, approved Nov. 5, 1974.
Mt. Const. art. II, § 12 — Article II / Section 12
MT Const., Article II, Section 12
Status: in_force

Right to bear arms. The right of any person to keep or bear arms in defense of his own home, person, and property, or in aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, shall not be called in question, but nothing herein contained shall be held to permit the carrying of concealed weapons.
Mt. Const. art. III, § 2 — Article III / Section 2
MT Const., Article III, Section 2
Status: in_force

Continuity of government . The seat of government shall be in Helena, except during periods of emergency resulting from disasters or enemy attack. The legislature may enact laws to insure the continuity of government during a period of emergency without regard for other provisions of the constitution. They shall be effective only during the period of emergency that affects a particular office or governmental operation.
Mt. Const. art. VII, § 5 — Article VII / Section 5
MT Const., Article VII, Section 5
Status: in_force

Justices of the peace. (1) There shall be elected in each county at least one justice of the peace with qualifications, training, and monthly compensation provided by law. There shall be provided such facilities that they may perform their duties in dignified surroundings. (2) Justice courts shall have such original jurisdiction as may be provided by law. They shall not have trial jurisdiction in any criminal case designated a felony except as examining courts. (3) The legislature may provide for additional justices of the peace in each county.
Mt. Const. art. VI, § 4 — Article VI / Section 4
MT Const., Article VI, Section 4
Status: in_force

Duties. (1) The executive power is vested in the governor who shall see that the laws are faithfully executed. He shall have such other duties as are provided in this constitution and by law. (2) The lieutenant governor shall perform the duties provided by law and those delegated to him by the governor. No power specifically vested in the governor by this constitution may be delegated to the lieutenant governor. (3) The secretary of state shall maintain official records of the executive branch and of the acts of the legislature, as provided by law. He shall keep the great seal of the state of Montana and perform any other duties provided by law. (4) The attorney general is the legal officer of the state and shall have the duties and powers provided by law. (5) The superintendent of public instruction and the auditor shall have such duties as are provided by law.
Mt. Const. art. II, § 20 — Article II / Section 20
MT Const., Article II, Section 20
Status: in_force

Initiation of proceedings. (1) Criminal offenses within the jurisdiction of any court inferior to the district court shall be prosecuted by complaint. All criminal actions in district court, except those on appeal, shall be prosecuted either by information, after examination and commitment by a magistrate or after leave granted by the court, or by indictment without such examination, commitment or leave. (2) A grand jury shall consist of eleven persons, of whom eight must concur to find an indictment. A grand jury shall be drawn and summoned only at the discretion and order of the district judge.
Mt. Const. art. VI, § 5 — Article VI / Section 5
MT Const., Article VI, Section 5
Status: in_force

Compensation. (1) Officers of the executive branch shall receive salaries provided by law. (2) During his term, no elected officer of the executive branch may hold another public office or receive compensation for services from any other governmental agency. He may be a candidate for any public office during his term.
Mt. Const. art. XIV, § 9 — Article XIV / Section 9
MT Const., Article XIV, Section 9
Status: in_force

Amendment by initiative. (1) The people may also propose constitutional amendments by initiative. Petitions including the full text of the proposed amendment shall be signed by at least ten percent of the qualified electors of the state. That number shall include at least ten percent of the qualified electors in each of at least one-half of the counties. (2) The petitions shall be filed with the secretary of state. If the petitions are found to have been signed by the required number of electors, the secretary of state shall cause the amendment to be published as provided by law twice each month for two months previous to the next regular state-wide election. (3) At that election, the proposed amendment shall be submitted to the qualified electors for approval or rejection. If approved by a majority voting thereon, it shall become a part of the constitution effective the first day of July following its approval, unless the amendment provides otherwise. History: Amd. Const. Amend. No. 37, approved Nov. 5, 2002.
Mt. Const. art. VII, § 7 — Article VII / Section 7
MT Const., Article VII, Section 7
Status: in_force

Terms and pay. (1) All justices and judges shall be paid as provided by law, but salaries shall not be diminished during terms of office. (2) Terms of office shall be eight years for supreme court justices, six years for district court judges, four years for justices of the peace, and as provided by law for other judges.
Mt. Const. art. X, § 9 — Article X / Section 9
MT Const., Article X, Section 9
Status: in_force

Boards of education. (1) There is a state board of education composed of the board of regents of higher education and the board of public education. It is responsible for long-range planning, and for coordinating and evaluating policies and programs for the state's educational systems. It shall submit unified budget requests. A tie vote at any meeting may be broken by the governor, who is an ex officio member of each component board. (2) (a) The government and control of the Montana university system is vested in a board of regents of higher education which shall have full power, responsibility, and authority to supervise, coordinate, manage and control the Montana university system and shall supervise and coordinate other public educational institutions assigned by law. (b) The board consists of seven members appointed by the governor, and confirmed by the senate, to overlapping terms, as provided by law. The governor and superintendent of public instruction are ex officio non-voting members of the board. (c) The board shall appoint a commissioner of higher education and prescribe his term and duties. (d) The funds and appropriations under the control of the board of regents are subject to the same audit provisions as are all other state funds. (3) (a) There is a board of public education to exercise general supervision over the public school system and such other public educational institutions as may be assigned by law. Other duties of the board shall be provided by law. (b) The board consists of seven members appointed by the governor, and confirmed by the senate, to overlapping terms as provided by law. The governor, commissioner of higher education and state superintendent of public instruction shall be ex officio non-voting members of the board.
Mt. Const. art. VIII, § 1 — Article VIII / Section 1
MT Const., Article VIII, Section 1
Status: in_force

Tax purposes. Taxes shall be levied by general laws for public purposes.
Mt. Const. art. IV, § 8 — Article IV / Section 8
MT Const., Article IV, Section 8
Status: in_force

Limitation on terms of office. (1) The secretary of state or other authorized official shall not certify a candidate's nomination or election to, or print or cause to be printed on any ballot the name of a candidate for, one of the following offices if, at the end of the current term of that office, the candidate will have served in that office or had he not resigned or been recalled would have served in that office: (a) 8 or more years in any 16-year period as governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, attorney general, or superintendent of public instruction; (b) 8 or more years in any 16-year period as a state representative; (c) 8 or more years in any 16-year period as a state senator; (d) 6 or more years in any 12-year period as a member of the U.S. house of representatives; and (e) 12 or more years in any 24-year period as a member of the U.S. senate. (2) When computing time served for purposes of subsection (1), the provisions of subsection (1) do not apply to time served in terms that end during or prior to January 1993. (3) Nothing contained herein shall preclude an otherwise qualified candidate from being certified as nominated or elected by virtue of write-in votes cast for said candidate. History: En. Sec. 1, Const. Initiative No. 64, approved Nov. 3, 1992.
Mt. Const. art. XIV, § 7 — Article XIV / Section 7
MT Const., Article XIV, Section 7
Status: in_force

Convention duties. The convention shall meet after the election of the delegates and prepare such revisions, alterations, or amendments to the constitution as may be deemed necessary. They shall be submitted to the qualified electors for ratification or rejection as a whole or in separate articles or amendments as determined by the convention at an election appointed by the convention for that purpose not less than two months after adjournment. Unless so submitted and approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon, no such revision, alteration, or amendment shall take effect.
Mt. Const. art. XI, § 9 — Article XI / Section 9
MT Const., Article XI, Section 9
Status: in_force

Voter review of local government. (1) The legislature shall, within four years of the ratification of this constitution, provide procedures requiring each local government unit or combination of units to review its structure and submit one alternative form of government to the qualified electors at the next general or special election. (2) The legislature shall require an election in each local government to determine whether a local government will undertake a review procedure once every ten years after the first election. Approval by a majority of those voting in the decennial general election on the question of undertaking a local government review is necessary to mandate the election of a local government study commission. Study commission members shall be elected during any regularly scheduled election in local governments mandating their election. History: Amd. Const. Amend. No. 6, approved Nov. 7, 1978.
Mt. Const. art. II, § 3 — Article II / Section 3
MT Const., Article II, Section 3
Status: in_force

Inalienable rights. All persons are born free and have certain inalienable rights. They include the right to a clean and healthful environment and the rights of pursuing life's basic necessities, enjoying and defending their lives and liberties, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and seeking their safety, health and happiness in all lawful ways. In enjoying these rights, all persons recognize corresponding responsibilities.
Mt. Const. art. IV, § 7 — Article IV / Section 7
MT Const., Article IV, Section 7
Status: in_force

Ballot issues -- challenges -- elections. (1) An initiative or referendum that qualifies for the ballot under Article III or Article XIV shall be submitted to the qualified electors as provided in the Article under which the initiative or referendum qualified unless a new election is held pursuant to this section. (2) A preelection challenge to the procedure by which an initiative or referendum qualified for the ballot or a postelection challenge to the manner in which the election was conducted shall be given priority by the courts. (3) If the election on an initiative or referendum properly qualifying for the ballot is declared invalid because the election was improperly conducted, the secretary of state shall submit the issue to the qualified electors at the next regularly scheduled statewide election unless the legislature orders a special election. History: En. Sec. 1, Const. Amend. No. 21, approved Nov. 6, 1990.
Mt. Const. art. I, § 20 — Article I / Section 20
MT Const., Article I, Section 20
Status: in_force

Initiation of proceedings. (1) Criminal offenses within the jurisdiction of any court inferior to the district court shall be prosecuted by complaint. All criminal actions in district court, except those on appeal, shall be prosecuted either by information, after examination and commitment by a magistrate or after leave granted by the court, or by indictment without such examination, commitment or leave. (2) A grand jury shall consist of eleven persons, of whom eight must concur to find an indictment. A grand jury shall be drawn and summoned only at the discretion and order of the district judge.
Mt. Const. art. IX, § 6 — Article IX / Section 6
MT Const., Article IX, Section 6
Status: in_force

Noxious weed management trust fund. (1) The legislature shall provide for a fund, to be known as the noxious weed management trust of the state of Montana, to be funded as provided by law. (2) The principal of the noxious weed management trust fund shall forever remain inviolate in an amount of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) unless appropriated by vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the members of each house of the legislature. (3) The interest and income generated from the noxious weed management trust fund may be appropriated by a majority vote of each house of the legislature. Appropriations of the interest and income shall be used only to fund the noxious weed management program, as provided by law. (4) The principal of the noxious weed management trust fund in excess of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) may be appropriated by a majority vote of each house of the legislature. Appropriations of the principal in excess of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) shall be used only to fund the noxious weed management program, as provided by law. History: En. Sec. 1, Const. Amend. No. 40, approved Nov. 2, 2004.
Mt. Const. art. II, § 6 — Article II / Section 6
MT Const., Article II, Section 6
Status: in_force

Freedom of assembly. The people shall have the right peaceably to assemble, petition for redress or peaceably protest governmental action.
Mt. Const. art. II, § 9 — Article II / Section 9
MT Const., Article II, Section 9
Status: in_force

Right to know. No person shall be deprived of the right to examine documents or to observe the deliberations of all public bodies or agencies of state government and its subdivisions, except in cases in which the demand of individual privacy clearly exceeds the merits of public disclosure.
Mt. Const. art. XIII, § 2 — Article XIII / Section 2
MT Const., Article XIII, Section 2
Status: in_force

Consumer counsel. The legislature shall provide for an office of consumer counsel which shall have the duty of representing consumer interests in hearings before the public service commission or any other successor agency. The legislature shall provide for the funding of the office of consumer counsel by a special tax on the net income or gross revenues of regulated companies.
Mt. Const. art. VIII, § 13 — Article VIII / Section 13
MT Const., Article VIII, Section 13
Status: in_force

Investment of public funds and public retirement system and state compensation insurance fund assets. (1) The legislature shall provide for a unified investment program for public funds and public retirement system and state compensation insurance fund assets and provide rules therefor, including supervision of investment of surplus funds of all counties, cities, towns, and other local governmental entities. Each fund forming a part of the unified investment program shall be separately identified. Except as provided in subsections (3) and (4), no public funds shall be invested in private corporate capital stock. The investment program shall be audited at least annually and a report thereof submitted to the governor and legislature. (2) The public school fund and the permanent funds of the Montana university system and all other state institutions of learning shall be safely and conservatively invested in: (a) Public securities of the state, its subdivisions, local government units, and districts within the state, or (b) Bonds of the United States or other securities fully guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States, or (c) Such other safe investments bearing a fixed rate of interest as may be provided by law. (3) Investment of public retirement system assets shall be managed in a fiduciary capacity in the same manner that a prudent expert acting in a fiduciary capacity and familiar with the circumstances would use in the conduct of an enterprise of a similar character with similar aims. Public retirement system assets may be invested in private corporate capital stock. (4) Investment of state compensation insurance fund assets shall be managed in a fiduciary capacity in the same manner that a prudent expert acting in a fiduciary capacity and familiar with the circumstances would use in the conduct of a private insurance organization. State compensation insurance fund assets may be invested in private corporate capital stock. However, the stock investments shall not exceed 25 percent of the book value of the state compensation insurance fund's total invested assets. History: Amd. Const. Amend. No. 25, approved Nov. 8, 1994; amd. Const. Amend. No. 35, approved Nov. 7, 2000.
Mt. Const. art. XIV, § 5 — Article XIV / Section 5
MT Const., Article XIV, Section 5
Status: in_force

Terms of legislators. Executed (certified by letter, February 22, 1977).
Mt. Const. art. II, § 27 — Article II / Section 27
MT Const., Article II, Section 27
Status: in_force

Imprisonment for debt. No person shall be imprisoned for debt except in the manner provided by law, upon refusal to deliver up his estate for the benefit of his creditors, or in cases of tort, where there is strong presumption of fraud.
Mt. Const. art. X, § 5 — Article X / Section 5
MT Const., Article X, Section 5
Status: in_force

Public school fund revenue. (1) Ninety-five percent of all the interest received on the public school fund and ninety-five percent of all rent received from the leasing of school lands and all other income from the public school fund shall be equitably apportioned annually to public elementary and secondary school districts as provided by law. (2) The remaining five percent of all interest received on the public school fund, and the remaining five percent of all rent received from the leasing of school lands and all other income from the public school fund shall annually be added to the public school fund and become and forever remain an inseparable and inviolable part thereof.