reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MT Code § 13-37-121 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices|Part 1. Commissioner of Political Practices|13-37-121. Inspection of statements and reports -- issuance of orders of noncompliance

  13-37-121. Inspection of statements and reports -- issuance of orders of noncompliance. (1) Each statement and report filed with the commissioner during an election or within 60 days after the election must be inspected within 20 days after the statement or report is filed. A statement or report concerning Title 13, chapter 37, part 6, must be inspected within 20 days after filing. Intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays must be excluded in the computation of time under this section. If a person has not satisfied the provisions of this chapter, the commissioner shall immediately notify the person of the noncompliance. Notification by the commissioner may be accomplished by written or electronic communication or by telephone. If the person fails to comply after the notification, the commissioner shall issue an order of noncompliance as provided in this section.   (2) An order of noncompliance may be issued when:   (a) upon examination of the official ballot, it appears that the person has failed to file a statement or report as required by this chapter or that a statement or report filed by a person does not conform to law; or   (b) it is determined that a statement or report filed with the commissioner does not conform to the requirements of this chapter or that a person has failed to file a statement or report required by law.   (3) If an order of noncompliance is issued during a campaign period or within 60 days after an election, a candidate or political committee shall submit the necessary information within 5 days after receiving the order of noncompliance. Upon a failure to submit the required information within the time specified, the appropriate county attorney or the commissioner may initiate a civil or criminal action pursuant to the procedures outlined in 13-37-124 and 13-37-125.   (4) If an order of noncompliance is issued during any period other than that described in subsection (3), a candidate, political committee, or reporting entity as defined in 13-37-601 shall submit the necessary information within 10 days after receiving the order of noncompliance. Upon a failure to submit the required information within the time specified, the appropriate county attorney or the commissioner shall initiate a civil or criminal action pursuant to the procedures outlined in 13-37-124 and 13-37-125.   (5) After a complaint is filed with the commissioner pursuant to 13-37-111, the procedure described in this section regarding the provision of notice and issuance of orders of noncompliance is not a prerequisite to initiation of any other administrative or judicial action authorized under chapter 35 of this title or this chapter.   History: En. 23-4787 by Sec. 12, Ch. 480, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 64, Ch. 365, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4787(1) thru (3); amd. Sec. 238, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 410, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 401, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 337, L. 2019.
MT Code § 13-37-122 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices|Part 1. Commissioner of Political Practices|13-37-122. Judicial review of orders of noncompliance

  13-37-122. Judicial review of orders of noncompliance. A candidate or political treasurer who is the subject of an order of noncompliance may seek judicial review in the district court of the county in which the candidate resides or the county in which the political committee has its headquarters. All petitions for judicial review filed pursuant to this section must be expeditiously reviewed by the appropriate district court.   History: En. 23-4787 by Sec. 12, Ch. 480, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 64, Ch. 365, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4787(4); amd. Sec. 120, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
MT Code § 13-37-123 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices|Part 1. Commissioner of Political Practices|13-37-123. Examination of reports after election

  13-37-123. Examination of reports after election. Within 120 days after the date of each election, the commissioner shall examine and compare each statement or report filed with the commissioner pursuant to the provisions of this chapter to determine whether the statement or report conforms to the provisions of the law. The examination shall include a comparison of all reports and statements received by the commissioner pursuant to the requirements of this chapter. The commissioner may investigate the source and authenticity of any contribution or expenditure listed in any report or statement filed pursuant to this chapter or the alleged failure to report any contribution or expenditure required to be reported pursuant to this chapter.   History: En. 23-4787 by Sec. 12, Ch. 480, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 64, Ch. 365, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4787(5); amd. Sec. 239, Ch. 571, L. 1979.
MT Code § 13-37-124 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices|Part 1. Commissioner of Political Practices|13-37-124. Consultation and cooperation with county attorney

  13-37-124. Consultation and cooperation with county attorney. (1) Whenever the commissioner determines that there appears to be sufficient evidence to justify a civil or criminal prosecution under chapter 35 of this title or this chapter, the commissioner shall notify the county attorney of the county in which the alleged violation occurred and shall arrange to transmit to the county attorney all information relevant to the alleged violation. If the county attorney fails to initiate the appropriate civil or criminal action within 30 days after receiving notification of the alleged violation, the commissioner may then initiate the appropriate legal action.  (2) A county attorney may, at any time prior to the expiration of the 30-day time period specified in subsection (1), waive the right to prosecute, and the waiver authorizes the commissioner to initiate the appropriate civil or criminal action.   (3) The provisions of subsection (1) do not apply to a situation in which the alleged violation has been committed by the county attorney of a county. In this instance, the commissioner is authorized to directly prosecute any alleged violation of chapter 35 of this title or this chapter.   (4) If a prosecution is undertaken by the commissioner, all court costs associated with the prosecution must be paid by the state of Montana, and all fines and forfeitures imposed pursuant to a prosecution by the commissioner, except those paid to or imposed by a justice's court, must be deposited in the state general fund.   History: En. 23-4788 by Sec. 13, Ch. 480, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 46, Ch. 334, L. 1977; amd. Sec. 65, Ch. 365, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4788(1) thru (4); amd. Sec. 240, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 557, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 401, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 407, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 565, L. 2021.
MT Code § 13-37-125 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices|Part 1. Commissioner of Political Practices|13-37-125. Powers of county attorney to investigate

  13-37-125. Powers of county attorney to investigate. (1) Nothing in chapter 35 of this title or this chapter prevents a county attorney from inspecting any records, accounts, or books that must be kept pursuant to the provisions of chapter 35 of this title or this chapter that are held by a political committee or candidate involved in an election to be held within the county. However, the inspections must be conducted during reasonable office hours.   (2) A county attorney may:   (a) administer oaths and affirmations;   (b) subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance;   (c) take evidence; and   (d) require the production of any books, correspondence, memoranda, bank account statements of a political committee or candidate, or other records that are relevant or material for the purpose of conducting any investigation pursuant to the provisions of chapter 35 of this title or this chapter.   History: En. 23-4788 by Sec. 13, Ch. 480, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 46, Ch. 334, L. 1977; amd. Sec. 65, Ch. 365, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4788(5), (6); amd. Sec. 241, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 401, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 121, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
MT Code § 13-37-126 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices|Part 1. Commissioner of Political Practices|13-37-126. Names not to appear on ballot

  13-37-126. Names not to appear on ballot. (1) The name of a candidate may not appear on the official ballot for an election if the candidate or a treasurer for a candidate fails to file any statement or report as required by 2-2-106 or this chapter.   (2) A vacancy on an official ballot under this section may be filled in the manner provided by law, but not by the same candidate.   (3) (a) In carrying out the mandate of this section, the commissioner shall, by a written statement, notify the secretary of state and the election administrator conducting an election when a candidate or a candidate's treasurer has not complied with 2-2-106 or the provisions of this chapter and that the candidate's name may not appear on the official ballot.   (b) The commissioner shall provide the notification:   (i) 2 calendar days before the certification deadline provided in 13-10-208 for statewide primary elections and 20-20-401 for school district elections; and   (ii) 7 days before the certification deadline provided in 13-12-201 for general elections.   History: En. 23-4791 by Sec. 16, Ch. 480, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4791; amd. Sec. 242, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 25, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 401, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 86, Ch. 414, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 15, Ch. 292, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 147, L. 2013; amd. Sec. 60, Ch. 336, L. 2013; amd. Sec. 192, Ch. 49, L. 2015.
MT Code § 13-37-127 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices|Part 1. Commissioner of Political Practices|13-37-127. Withholding of certificates of nomination or election

  13-37-127. Withholding of certificates of nomination or election. (1) A certificate of election may not be granted to any candidate until the candidate or the candidate's treasurer has filed the reports and statements that must be filed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. A candidate for an elective office may not assume the powers and duties of that office until the candidate has received a certificate of election as provided by law. A certificate of election may only be issued by the public official responsible for issuing a certificate or commission of election.   (2) In carrying out the mandate of this section, the commissioner must, by written statement, notify the public official responsible for issuing a certificate of nomination or election that a candidate or the candidate's treasurer has complied with the provisions of this chapter as described in subsection (1) and that a certificate of nomination or election may be issued.   History: En. 23-4792 by Sec. 17, Ch. 480, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4792; amd. Sec. 243, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 14, Ch. 401, L. 2001.
MT Code § 13-37-128 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices|Part 1. Commissioner of Political Practices|13-37-128. Cause of action created

  13-37-128. Cause of action created. (1) A person who intentionally or negligently violates any of the reporting provisions of this chapter, a provision of 13-35-225, or a provision of Title 13, chapter 35, part 4, is liable in a civil action brought by the commissioner or a county attorney pursuant to the provisions outlined in 13-37-124 and 13-37-125 for an amount up to $500 or three times the amount of the unlawful contributions or expenditures, whichever is greater.   (2) A person who makes or receives a contribution or expenditure in violation of 13-35-227, 13-35-228, or this chapter or who violates 13-35-226 is liable in a civil action brought by the commissioner or a county attorney pursuant to the provisions outlined in 13-37-124 and 13-37-125 for an amount up to $500 or three times the amount of the unlawful contribution or expenditure, whichever is greater.   (3) A person who violates the provisions of 13-37-502 is liable in a civil action brought by the commissioner or a county attorney pursuant to the provisions outlined in 13-37-124 and 13-37-125 for an amount up to $500 or three times the amount of the unlawful disbursement, contribution, expenditure, or promise, whichever is greater.   History: En. Sec. 244, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 53, Ch. 42, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 15, Ch. 401, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 508, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 330, L. 2019.
MT Code § 13-37-129 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices|Part 1. Commissioner of Political Practices|13-37-129. Liability and disposition of fines

  13-37-129. Liability and disposition of fines. In determining the amount of liability under 13-37-128, the court may take into account the seriousness of a violation and the degree of culpability of the defendant. If a judgment is entered against the defendant or defendants in an action brought by a county attorney in a court other than a justice's court, the county shall receive 50% of the amount recovered. The remaining 50% shall be deposited in the general fund of the state. In an action brought by the commissioner in a court other than a justice's court, the entire amount recovered shall be paid to the general fund of the state.   History: En. Sec. 245, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 557, L. 1987.
MT Code § 13-37-130 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices|Part 1. Commissioner of Political Practices|13-37-130. Limitation of action

  13-37-130. Limitation of action. An action may not be brought under 13-37-128 and 13-37-129 more than 4 years after the occurrence of the facts that give rise to the action. No more than one judgment against a particular defendant may be had on a single state of facts. The civil action created in 13-37-128 and 13-37-129 is the exclusive remedy for violation of the contribution, expenditure, and reporting provisions of this chapter. These provisions are not subject to the misdemeanor penalties of 13-35-103 but may be a ground for contest of election or removal from office as provided in 13-35-106(3) and Title 13, chapter 36.   History: En. Sec. 246, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 54, Ch. 42, L. 1997.
MT Code § 13-37-131 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices|Part 1. Commissioner of Political Practices|13-37-131. Misrepresentation of voting record

  13-37-131. Misrepresentation of voting record. (1) It is unlawful for a person to misrepresent a candidate's public voting record with knowledge that the assertion is false or with a reckless disregard of whether or not the assertion is false.   (2) It is unlawful for a person to misrepresent to a candidate another candidate's public voting record with knowledge that the assertion is false or with a reckless disregard of whether or not the assertion is false.   (3) For the purposes of this section, the public voting record of a candidate who was previously a member of the legislature includes a vote of that candidate recorded in committee minutes or in journals of the senate or the house of representatives. Failure of a person to verify a public voting record is evidence of the person's reckless disregard if the statement made by the person or the information provided to the candidate is false.   (4) A person violating subsection (1) or (2) is liable in a civil action brought by the commissioner or county attorney pursuant to 13-37-124 for an amount up to $1,000. An action pursuant to this section is subject to the provisions of 13-37-129 and 13-37-130.   History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 483, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 352, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 367, L. 2013.
MT Code § 13-37-132 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices|Part 1. Commissioner of Political Practices|13-37-132. Campaign finance complaint response

  13-37-132. Campaign finance complaint response. A written response to a complaint alleging a violation of Title 13, chapter 37, part 2, must be posted on the commissioner's website. The commissioner may specify a deadline for the written response by the person who is the subject of the campaign finance complaint.  History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 73, L. 2021.
MT Code § 13-37-201 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices|Part 2. Campaign Finance|13-37-201. Campaign treasurer

  13-37-201. Campaign treasurer. (1) Except as provided in 13-37-206, each candidate, each political committee, and each joint fundraising 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.   (b) Except as provided in subsection (2)(c), a political committee and a joint fundraising 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. A joint fundraising committee shall also provide a list of participants with the certification.   (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, political committee, or joint fundraising committee must be filed with the commissioner.   History: En. 23-4781 by Sec. 6, Ch. 480, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 23, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4781(1); amd. Sec. 247, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 23, Ch. 591, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 122, Ch. 56, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 167, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 259, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 494, L. 2021.
MT Code § 13-37-202 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices|Part 2. Campaign Finance|13-37-202. Deputy campaign treasurers

  13-37-202. Deputy campaign treasurers. (1) A campaign treasurer may appoint deputy campaign treasurers, but not more than one in each county in which the campaign is conducted. Each candidate, political committee, and joint fundraising committee shall certify the full name and complete address of the campaign treasurer and all deputy campaign treasurers with the office with whom the candidate, political committee, or joint fundraising committee is required to file reports.  (2) Deputy campaign treasurers may exercise any of the powers and duties of a campaign treasurer as set forth in this chapter when specifically authorized in writing to do so by the campaign treasurer and the candidate, in the case of a candidate, or the campaign treasurer and the presiding officer of the political committee or the joint fundraising committee, in the case of a political committee or a joint fundraising committee. The written authorization must be maintained as a part of the records required to be kept by the treasurer, as specified in 13-37-208.   History: En. 23-4781 by Sec. 6, Ch. 480, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 23, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4781(2), (4); amd. Sec. 248, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 123, Ch. 56, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 494, L. 2021.
MT Code § 13-37-203 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices|Part 2. Campaign Finance|13-37-203. Qualifications of campaign and deputy campaign treasurers

  13-37-203. Qualifications of campaign and deputy campaign treasurers. (1) Any campaign or deputy campaign treasurer appointed pursuant to 13-37-201 and 13-37-202 must be a registered voter in this state.  (2) An individual may be appointed and serve as a campaign treasurer of a candidate, political committee, or joint fundraising committee or two or more candidates, political committees, or joint fundraising committees. A candidate may serve as the candidate's own campaign or deputy campaign treasurer or as the treasurer or deputy treasurer of a joint fundraising committee in which the candidate is a participant. An individual may not serve as a campaign or deputy campaign treasurer or perform any duty required of a campaign or deputy campaign treasurer of a candidate, political committee, or joint fundraising committee until the individual has been designated and the individual's name certified by the candidate or political committee.   History: En. 23-4781 by Sec. 6, Ch. 480, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 23, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4781(3); amd. Sec. 124, Ch. 56, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 494, L. 2021.
MT Code § 13-37-204 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices|Part 2. Campaign Finance|13-37-204. Removal of campaign and deputy campaign treasurers

  13-37-204. Removal of campaign and deputy campaign treasurers. A candidate, political committee, or joint fundraising committee may remove the candidate's or committee's campaign or deputy campaign treasurer. The removal of any treasurer or deputy treasurer must immediately be reported to the officer with whom the name of the campaign treasurer was originally filed. In case of death, resignation, or removal of the candidate's or committee's campaign treasurer before compliance with any obligation of a campaign treasurer under this chapter, the candidate, political committee, or joint fundraising committee shall appoint a successor and certify the name and address of the successor as specified in 13-37-201.  History: En. 23-4781 by Sec. 6, Ch. 480, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 23, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4781(5); amd. Sec. 125, Ch. 56, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 494, L. 2021.