reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 2. Campaign Finance › 13-37-206. Exception for certain school districts and certain special districts

13-37-206. Exception for certain school districts and certain special districts.
(1) The provisions of this part, except 13-37-216 and 13-37-217, do not apply to a candidate for the office of trustee of a school district, the candidate's political campaign, or a political committee organized to support or oppose a school district issue or a candidate when the school district is:
(a) a first-class district located in a county having a population of less than 15,000;
(b) a second- or third-class district; or
(c) a county high school district having a student enrollment of less than 2,000.
(2) The provisions of this part, except 13-37-216 and 13-37-217, do not apply to a candidate, the candidate's political campaign, or a political committee organized to support or oppose an issue or a candidate if the candidate is running for or the committee's issue involves a unit of local government authorized by law to perform a single function or a limited number of functions, including but not limited to a conservation district, a weed management district, a fire district, a community college district, a hospital district, an irrigation district, a sewer district, a transportation district, a water district, any other special purpose district, or any entity formed by interlocal agreement.
History: En. 23-4781 by Sec. 6, Ch. 480, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 23, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4781(7); amd. Sec. 250, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 361, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 191, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 127, Ch. 56, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 202, L. 2013; amd. Sec. 193, Ch. 49, L. 2015.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 2. Campaign Finance › 13-37-207. Deposit of contributions -- statement of campaign treasurer

13-37-207. Deposit of contributions -- statement of campaign treasurer.
(1) All funds received by the campaign treasurer or any deputy campaign treasurer of any candidate, political committee, or joint fundraising committee must be deposited prior to the end of the fifth business day following their receipt, Sundays and holidays excluded, in a checking account, share draft account, share checking account, or negotiable order of withdrawal account in a campaign depository designated pursuant to 13-37-205.
(2) A statement showing the amount received from or provided by each person and the account in which the funds are deposited must be prepared by the campaign treasurer at the time the deposit is made. This statement along with the receipt form for cash contributions deposited at the same time and a deposit slip for the deposit must be kept by the treasurer as a part of the treasurer's records.
History: En. 23-4782 by Sec. 7, Ch. 480, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4782; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 98, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 128, Ch. 56, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 494, L. 2021.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 2. Campaign Finance › 13-37-208. Treasurer to keep records

13-37-208. Treasurer to keep records.
(1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (1)(b), the campaign treasurer of each candidate, each political committee, and each joint fundraising committee shall keep detailed accounts of all contributions received and all expenditures made by or on behalf of the candidate, political committee, or joint fundraising committee that are required to be set forth in a report filed under this chapter. The accounts must be current within not more than 10 days after the date of receiving a contribution or making an expenditure.
(b) The accounts described in subsection (1)(a) must be current as of the 5th day before the date of filing of a report as specified in 13-37-228.
(2) Accounts of a deputy campaign treasurer must be transferred to the treasurer of a candidate or political committee before the candidate, political committee, or joint fundraising committee finally closes its books or when the position of a deputy campaign treasurer becomes vacant and no successor is appointed.
(3) Accounts kept by a campaign treasurer of a candidate, political committee, or joint fundraising committee must be preserved by the campaign treasurer for a period of 2 years from the date of the election.
History: En. 23-4783 by Sec. 8, Ch. 480, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4783(1), (3); amd. Sec 251, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 129, Ch. 56, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 429, L. 2019; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 494, L. 2021; amd. Sec. 14, Ch. 565, L. 2021; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 557, L. 2023.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 2. Campaign Finance › 13-37-209. Inspection of records

13-37-209. Inspection of records.
Accounts kept by the campaign treasurer of a candidate or political committee may be inspected under reasonable circumstances before, during, or after the election to which the accounts refer by the campaign treasurer of any opposing candidate or political committee in the same electoral district. The right of inspection may be enforced by appropriate writ issued by any court of competent jurisdiction. The campaign treasurers of political committees supporting a candidate may be joined with the campaign treasurer of the candidate as respondents in such a proceeding.
History: En. 23-4783 by Sec. 8, Ch. 480, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4783(2).
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 2. Campaign Finance › 13-37-210. Repealed

13-37-210. Repealed.
Sec. 8, Ch. 571, L. 2021.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 225, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 24, Ch. 481, L. 2007.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 2. Campaign Finance › 13-37-215. Repealed

13-37-215. Repealed.
Sec. 1, Ch. 152, L. 2019.
History: En. 23-4784 by Sec. 9, Ch. 480, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4784; amd. Sec. 252, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 21, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 130, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 2. Campaign Finance › 13-37-217. Contributions in name of undisclosed principal

13-37-217. Contributions in name of undisclosed principal.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person may not make a contribution of the person's own money or of another person's money to any other person in connection with any election in any other name than that of the person who in truth supplies the money. A person may not knowingly receive a contribution or enter or cause the contribution to be entered in the person's accounts or records in another name than that of the person by whom it was actually furnished.
(2) A joint fundraising committee shall allocate contributions as provided in 13-37-211 to a participant in the name of the original contributor to the joint fundraising committee, and a participant may receive and may enter these contributions into the participant's account. A participant shall account for the original contributors of the gross contributions allocated by the joint fundraising committee in the participant's records.
History: En. Sec. 18, Init. Act, Nov. 1912; re-en. Sec. 10783, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 10783, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 94-1437, R.C.M. 1947; redes. 23-4737 by Sec. 29, Ch. 513, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 54, Ch. 365, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4737; amd. Sec. 254, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 131, Ch. 56, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 14, Ch. 494, L. 2021.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 2. Campaign Finance › 13-37-218. Repealed

13-37-218. Repealed.
Sec. 8, Ch. 571, L. 2021.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 529, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 19, Ch. 634, L. 1993 (voided by I.R. No. 112, Nov. 8, 1994); amd. Sec. 2, I.M. No. 118, approved Nov. 8, 1994; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 143, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 462, L. 2003.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 2. Campaign Finance › 13-37-219. Limitations on contributions to candidate when office sought is not known

13-37-219. Limitations on contributions to candidate when office sought is not known.
A candidate, as defined in 13-1-101(8)(b), who has not determined the office to which the individual will seek nomination or election is subject to the lowest contribution limitation of the offices the candidate is considering seeking.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 330, L. 2013; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 259, L. 2015.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 2. Campaign Finance › 13-37-220. Child-care expenses

13-37-220. Child-care expenses.
(1) While a candidate is engaged in campaign activity, a candidate may use contributions deposited in the candidate's primary campaign depository as provided in 13-37-205 to pay the candidate's reasonable and necessary child-care expenses.
(2) When a candidate expends funds from the candidate's primary campaign depository as provided in 13-37-205 to pay for the candidate's child-care expenses, each expenditure must be reported as provided in Title 13, chapter 37, part 2.
(3) After the candidate's closing campaign report provided for in 13-37-228 is filed, the candidate may not expend surplus campaign funds for the candidate's child-care expenses as provided in 13-37-240(1).
(4) In-kind child care provided to the candidate while the candidate is engaging in campaign activity by the candidate's family or an individual known to the candidate is not a contribution and is not reportable under this chapter. The commissioner shall broadly construe this provision.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 492, L. 2021.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 2. Campaign Finance › 13-37-225. Reports of contributions and expenditures required -- electronic filing and publication

13-37-225. Reports of contributions and expenditures required -- electronic filing and publication.
(1) (a) Except as provided in 13-37-206 and subsections (1)(b) and (1)(c), each candidate, political committee, and joint fundraising committee shall file with the commissioner periodic electronic reports of contributions and expenditures made by or on the behalf of a candidate, political committee, or joint fundraising committee.
(b) The commissioner may, for good cause shown in a written application by a candidate, political committee, or joint fundraising committee grant a waiver to the requirement that reports be filed electronically.
(c) (i) If a candidate or treasurer for a political committee or a joint fundraising committee experiences technical difficulties with the electronic report filing system, the candidate or treasurer may file by fax or e-mail the same information in hard copy with the commissioner that would otherwise be required by subsection (1)(a) to be filed electronically. Within 3 days of filing the required information in hard copy, the candidate or treasurer shall file the information electronically.
(ii) A filing made pursuant to subsection (1)(c)(i) must be considered the same as an electronic submission. The commissioner may not include a candidate in the notification to the secretary of state required by 13-37-126(5) if the candidate meets the requirements of subsection (1)(c)(i).
(d) To facilitate the implementation of subsection (1)(c), the commissioner shall provide an interactive document that can be filled out by the candidate or treasurer and printed, e-mailed, or faxed.
(2) The commissioner shall post on the commissioner's website:
(a) all reports filed under 13-37-226 within 7 business days of filing; and
(b) for each election, the calendar dates that correspond with the filing requirements of 13-37-226.
(3) 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.
(4) 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.
History: En. 23-4778 by Sec. 3, Ch. 480, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 23, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4778(1), (2); amd. Sec. 255, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 24, Ch. 591, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 132, Ch. 56, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 6, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 167, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 259, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 429, L. 2019; amd. Sec. 16, Ch. 494, L. 2021; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 260, L. 2023.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 2. Campaign Finance › 13-37-227. Comprehensive report when several candidates or issues involved

13-37-227. Comprehensive report when several candidates or issues involved.
The commissioner shall adopt rules that will permit political committees, including political parties or joint fundraising committees, to file copies of a single comprehensive report when they support or oppose more than one candidate or issue. The commissioner shall adopt rules under which committees filing periodic reports with the federal election commission and committees headquartered outside the state of Montana shall report in accordance with this title.
History: En. 23-4778 by Sec. 3, Ch. 480, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 23, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4778(7); amd. Sec. 257, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 18, Ch. 494, L. 2021.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 2. Campaign Finance › 13-37-228. Time periods covered by reports

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, political committee, or joint fundraising committee from the time that a person became a candidate a political committee, as defined in 13-1-101, or a joint fundraising committee, as provided in 13-37-211, until the 5th day before the date of filing of the appropriate initial report pursuant to 13-37-226. 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 a proposed issue is submitted to the secretary of state in 13-27-214 even if the issue subsequently fails to complete the review process or 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. For the purposes of this subsection, the reports required under 13-37-226(1)(c), (1)(d), (2)(c), and (2)(d) are not periodic reports and must be filed as required by 13-37-226(1)(c), (1)(d), (2)(c), and (2)(d), 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, political committee, or joint fundraising committee. A candidate, political committee, or joint fundraising committee shall file a closing report following an election in which the candidate, political committee, or joint fundraising 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, political committee, or joint fundraising committee will participate in the general election.
(4) If all debts and obligations are satisfied and further contributions or expenditures will not be received or made, a joint fundraising committee may file a closing report at any time.
History: En. 23-4778 by Sec. 3, Ch. 480, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 23, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4778(8); amd. Sec. 258, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 75, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 17, Ch. 401, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 26, Ch. 481, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 133, Ch. 56, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 252, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 259, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 429, L. 2019; amd. Sec. 19, Ch. 494, L. 2021; amd. Sec. 54, Ch. 647, L. 2023.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 2. Campaign Finance › 13-37-230. Repealed

13-37-230. Repealed.
Sec. 18, Ch. 259, L. 2015.
History: En. 23-4779 by Sec. 4, Ch. 480, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4779(10) through (16); amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 162, L. 2009.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 2. Campaign Finance › 13-37-231. Reports to be certified as true, complete, and correct

13-37-231. Reports to be certified as true, complete, and correct.
(1) A report required by this chapter to be filed by a candidate or political committee must be verified as true, complete, and correct by the oath or affirmation of the individual filing the report. The individual filing the report must be the candidate or an officer of a political committee who is on file as an officer of the committee with the commissioner.
(2) A copy of a report or statement filed by a candidate or political committee must be preserved by the individual filing it for a period coinciding with the term of office for which the person was a candidate or for a period of 4 years, whichever is longer.
History: En. 23-4780 by Sec. 5, Ch. 480, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4780; amd. Sec. 260, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 134, Ch. 56, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 15, Ch. 259, L. 2015.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 2. Campaign Finance › 13-37-233. Reports to be filed regardless of tax status

13-37-233. Reports to be filed regardless of tax status.
(1) A person that makes an election communication, an electioneering communication, or an independent expenditure shall file reports required by this chapter regardless of the person's tax status under state or federal law.
(2) This section does not apply to the exemptions granted to a religious organization under the definitions of a contribution, election communication, electioneering communication, and expenditure as provided in 13-1-101.
History: En. Sec. 16, Ch. 259, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 565, L. 2021.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 2. Campaign Finance › 13-37-234. Religious organization exemptions to be broadly construed

13-37-234. Religious organization exemptions to be broadly construed.
Pursuant to the first amendment to the United States constitution and to ensure the consistent application of the law, the commissioner shall broadly construe the exemptions concerning religious organizations provided in 13-1-101(9)(b)(iv), (15)(b)(v), (19)(b)(v), and (21)(b)(vi).
History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 565, L. 2021; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 311, L. 2023.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 2. Campaign Finance › 13-37-240. Surplus campaign funds

13-37-240. Surplus campaign funds.
(1) A candidate shall dispose of any surplus funds from the candidate's campaign within 120 days after the time of filing the closing campaign report pursuant to 13-37-228. In disposing of the surplus funds, a candidate may not contribute the funds to another campaign, including the candidate's own future campaign, or use the funds for personal benefit. A successful candidate for a statewide elected or legislative office or for public service commissioner may establish a continuing service account as provided in 13-37-402. The candidate shall provide a supplement to the closing campaign report to the commissioner showing the disposition of any surplus campaign funds.
(2) For purposes of this section, "personal benefit" means a use that will provide a direct or indirect benefit of any kind to the candidate or any member of the candidate's immediate family.
History: En. Sec. 3, I.M. No. 118, approved Nov. 8, 1994; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 487, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 271, L. 2023.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 2. Campaign Finance › 13-37-241. Candidate campaign debt

13-37-241. Candidate campaign debt.
(1) If a candidate has unpaid primary election debt that consists solely of loans from the candidate to the candidate's campaign and if the candidate advances to the general election, the candidate is not required to pay off the primary election debt with primary election funds. Under these circumstances, leftover primary election funds may be used for general election purposes.
(2) Following the general election, the candidate may repay a loan the candidate made to the candidate's campaign with primary or general election funds.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 279, L. 2021.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 2. Campaign Finance › 13-37-250. Repealed

13-37-250. Repealed.
Sec. 3, Ch. 557, L. 2023.
History: En. Sec. 2, I.M. No. 125, Nov. 5, 1996; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 294, L. 1997 (voided by I.R. No. 114, Nov. 3, 1998); amd. Sec. 24, Ch. 51, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 87, Ch. 414, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 462, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 43, Ch. 475, L. 2003.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 3. Public Campaign Finance (Repealed) › 13-37-301. Repealed

13-37-301. Repealed.
Sec. 8, Ch. 581, L. 1993.
History: En. 23-4901 by Sec. 1, Ch. 263, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 538, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4901.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 3. Public Campaign Finance (Repealed) › 13-37-302. Repealed

13-37-302. Repealed.
Sec. 8, Ch. 581, L. 1993.
History: En. 23-4902 by Sec. 2, Ch. 263, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 538, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4902; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 579, L. 1979.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 3. Public Campaign Finance (Repealed) › 13-37-303. Repealed

13-37-303. Repealed.
Sec. 8, Ch. 581, L. 1993.
History: En. 23-4903 by Sec. 3, Ch. 263, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4903; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 579, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 34, Ch. 370, L. 1987.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 3. Public Campaign Finance (Repealed) › 13-37-304. Repealed

13-37-304. Repealed.
Sec. 8, Ch. 581, L. 1993.
History: En. 23-4904 by Sec. 4, Ch. 263, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 538, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4904; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 579, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 277, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 703, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 361, L. 1991.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 3. Public Campaign Finance (Repealed) › 13-37-305. Repealed

13-37-305. Repealed.
Sec. 8, Ch. 581, L. 1993.
History: En. 23-4905 by Sec. 5, Ch. 263, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4905; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 361, L. 1991.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 3. Public Campaign Finance (Repealed) › 13-37-306. Repealed

13-37-306. Repealed.
Sec. 8, Ch. 581, L. 1993.
History: En. 23-4906 by Sec. 6, Ch. 263, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 538, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4906.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 4. Miscellaneous Provisions › 13-37-401. Definitions

13-37-401. Definitions.
As used in 13-37-402 and this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) "Constituent services" means travel, mailing, and other expenses incurred to represent and serve constituents and authorized in rules adopted by the commissioner to implement the provisions of 13-37-402 and this section.
(2) "Personal benefit" has the meaning provided in 13-37-240.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 487, L. 2007.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 4. Miscellaneous Provisions › 13-37-402. Continuing service accounts -- reports

13-37-402. Continuing service accounts -- reports.
(1) A continuing service account may be established to pay for constituent services by a successful candidate required to report under 13-37-229. A continuing service account may be established by filing an appropriate form with the commissioner.
(2) (a) A successful candidate may deposit only surplus campaign funds in a continuing service account.
(b) Any loans owed must be paid back, not forgiven, before a continuing service account may be created and funded.
(c) The money in the account may be used only for constituent services. The money in the account may not be used for:
(i) personal benefit; or
(ii) campaign expenditures authorized pursuant to Title 13, chapter 37, part 2.
(3) A person described in subsection (1) may not establish any account related to the public official's office other than a continuing service account. This subsection does not prohibit a person from establishing a campaign account.
(4) The holder of a continuing service account shall file a quarterly report with the commissioner, by a date established by the commissioner by rule. The report must disclose the source of all money deposited in the account and enumerate expenditures from the account. The report must include the same information as required for a candidate required to report under 13-37-229. The report must be certified as provided in 13-37-231.
(5) The holder of a continuing service account shall close the account within 120 days after the account holder leaves public office.
History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 487, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 347, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 17, Ch. 259, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 261, L. 2023; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 271, L. 2023.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 4. Miscellaneous Provisions › 13-37-403. Constituent services account -- prior contributions -- donation to charity

13-37-403. Constituent services account -- prior contributions -- donation to charity.
A person who established a constituent services account prior to May 14, 2007, shall donate any money remaining in the account on April 24, 2009, to charity by July 1, 2009, or deposit the money by July 1, 2009, into a constituent services account established after May 14, 2007, and shall close the old account. The holder of a constituent services account subject to this section shall file a report with the commissioner describing the disposition of the money subject to this section.
History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 347, L. 2009.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 4. Miscellaneous Provisions › 13-37-404. Report by political committee operation from state-owned property

13-37-404. Report by political committee operation from state-owned property.
(1) If a person other than an individual leases office space from the state or the Montana university system, files as a political committee pursuant to 13-37-201, and has more than $5,000 in expenditures in a calendar year, the person shall submit a report by April 1 of the succeeding year to the legislative services division in accordance with 5-11-210. The report must contain the following information:
(a) the name of the political committee, the type of political committee, the political committee's mailing address, and the name of the political committee's treasurer;
(b) the purpose of the political committee or the name of the candidate or ballot issue supported or opposed by the committee;
(c) the total amount of contributions received by the committee in the preceding calendar year;
(d) the total amount of expenditures made by the committee in the preceding calendar year; and
(e) a listing of any reports submitted by the organization to the commissioner of political practices.
(2) The executive director of the legislative services division shall distribute a copy of the report to the members of the state administration and veterans' affairs interim committee and the members of the corresponding standing committees with jurisdiction over election laws. If the report is submitted by an entity leasing property from the Montana university system, the report must also be distributed to the members of the education interim committee and the members of the corresponding standing committees with jurisdiction over education laws.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 565, L. 2021.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 5. Prohibiting Foreign Influence in Elections › 13-37-501. Definitions

13-37-501. Definitions.
As used in this part, the following definitions apply:
(1) "Entity" means a partnership, association, limited liability company, joint venture, corporation, or any other legal or commercial organization, or a combination of entities.
(2) "Foreign national" means:
(a) a government of a foreign country;
(b) a political party of a foreign country;
(c) an entity located outside of the United States unless that entity:
(i) is organized under or created under federal law, state law, or the law of another place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; and
(ii) has its principal place of business within the United States;
(d) an entity that:
(i) is organized under the laws of a foreign country; or
(ii) has its principal place of business in a foreign country; and
(e) an individual who is not lawfully admitted for the privilege of residing permanently in the United States as an immigrant in accordance with immigration laws and who is not:
(i) a citizen of the United States; or
(ii) a person who, though not a citizen of the United States, owes permanent allegiance to the United States.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 330, L. 2019.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 5. Prohibiting Foreign Influence in Elections › 13-37-502. Prohibition on foreign national interference in election

13-37-502. Prohibition on foreign national interference in election.
(1) It is unlawful for a foreign national, directly or through an intermediary, to make a disbursement for an electioneering communication, a contribution, or an expenditure, or to make an express or implied promise to make a contribution or an expenditure, in connection with any candidate election.
(2) It is unlawful for a person to solicit, accept, or receive a contribution, expenditure, or disbursement described in subsection (1) from a foreign national.
(3) To the extent that a potential violation of this section also violates 52 U.S.C. 30121 or 11 CFR 110.20, investigation and enforcement of the matter must be referred to the federal election commission. The commissioner or a county attorney may not bring an enforcement action regarding the portion of the matter that also violates 52 U.S.C. 30121 or 11 CFR 110.20.
History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 330, L. 2019.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 5. Prohibiting Foreign Influence in Elections › 13-37-503. Penalties

13-37-503. Penalties.
A person who violates 13-37-502 is liable in a civil action pursuant to 13-37-128.
History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 330, L. 2019.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 6. Minor Parties › 13-37-602. Organization statement

13-37-602. Organization statement.
(1) Within 5 days of becoming a reporting entity, the reporting entity shall certify its name and complete address with the commissioner.
(2) A minor party qualification committee shall include the following additional information in the certification:
(a) the name and address of the committee's treasurer;
(b) the name and address of all officers, if any;
(c) an organizational statement; and
(d) the name and address of the depository designated for depositing all contributions received and disbursing all expenditures made by the minor party qualification committee.
(3) 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 depository under subsection (2).
History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 337, L. 2019.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 6. Minor Parties › 13-37-603. Reporting entity -- reports required -- exception

13-37-603. Reporting entity -- reports required -- exception.
(1) A reporting entity shall keep detailed records of all contributions received and expenditures made by or on behalf of the reporting entity. If the reporting entity is a minor party qualification committee, the treasurer appointed pursuant to 13-37-602 shall keep the records on behalf of the minor party qualification committee.
(2) A reporting entity may not knowingly report a contribution in the name of any person other than the person by whom it was actually furnished.
(3) A reporting entity shall file periodic reports containing the information required by 13-37-605 pursuant to the dates required by 13-37-604.
(4) Records kept pursuant to this section must be preserved by the reporting entity for 4 years from the date prescribed in 13-10-609(2) on which the signatures were presented or otherwise would have been presented to the election administrator.
(5) The commissioner may inspect records or accounts that must be kept pursuant to this part, as long as the inspection is made during reasonable office hours.
(6) If a reporting entity is otherwise required to file a report under Title 13, chapter 37, part 2, concerning the same matters required to be reported under this part, the reporting entity may not be required to file a duplicate report or duplicate information but shall file the information in one report.
History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 337, L. 2019; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 399, L. 2021.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 6. Minor Parties › 13-37-604. Reporting dates

13-37-604. Reporting dates.
(1) A reporting entity shall file reports quarterly, due on the 15th day of January, April, July, and October, beginning in the quarter in which the individual or minor party qualification committee becomes a reporting entity and ending when the reporting entity files a closing report as provided by subsection (4).
(2) The initial report must include contributions and expenditures prior to the time a person became a reporting entity until the 5th day before the date of filing of the initial report, even if the minor party petition subsequently fails to garner sufficient signatures to qualify the minor party for primary elections.
(3) (a) 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 the next report.
(b) Reports required under subsection (1) must be filed quarterly until the reporting entity files a closing report, even if no contributions have been received or no expenditures have been made during the reporting period.
(4) (a) A reporting entity shall file a closing report whenever all debts and obligations relating to the effort to support or oppose the qualification of a minor political party for primary elections are satisfied and further contributions or expenditures will not be received or made that relate to qualifying the minor political party for primary elections using the minor party petition.
(b) A closing report may be combined with the reporting entity's final quarterly report. However, the combined report must cover the period of time from the closing of the previous report until the date of filing of the combined quarterly and closing report.
(c) If the reporting entity does not file the closing report with the final quarterly report, the closing report must cover the period of the time from the closing of the last quarterly report until the date of the closing report.
(5) A reporting entity may file a combined opening and closing report if it otherwise comports with the requirements of this section.
History: En. Sec. 5, Ch. 337, L. 2019; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 399, L. 2021.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 37. Control of Campaign Practices › Part 6. Minor Parties › 13-37-607. Penalties

13-37-607. Penalties.
A person who violates the reporting requirements of this part is subject to civil liability under 13-37-128(1) for an amount up to $500 or three times the amount of the unlawful expenditures or contributions, whichever is greater.
History: En. Sec. 8, Ch. 337, L. 2019.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 38. Political Parties › Part 1. General Provisions › 13-38-101. Powers of parties

13-38-101. Powers of parties.
Each political party may:
(1) make its own rules;
(2) provide for and select its own offices;
(3) call conventions and provide for the number and qualification of delegates;
(4) adopt platforms;
(5) provide for selection of delegates to national conventions;
(6) provide for the nomination of presidential electors;
(7) provide for the selection of national committee representatives;
(8) make nominations to fill vacancies occurring among its candidates nominated for offices to be filled by the state at large or by any district consisting of more than one county where the vacancies are caused by death, resignation, or removal from the electoral district;
(9) perform all other functions inherent in a party organization.
History: En. Sec. 81, Ch. 368, L. 1969; R.C.M. 1947, 23-3406; amd. Sec. 135, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 38. Political Parties › Part 1. General Provisions › 13-38-102. Repealed

13-38-102. Repealed.
Sec. 1, Ch. 513, L. 1981.
History: En. Sec. 83, Ch. 368, L. 1969; R.C.M. 1947, 23-3407.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 38. Political Parties › Part 1. General Provisions › 13-38-103. Repealed

13-38-103. Repealed.
Sec. 15, Ch. 363, L. 2001.
History: En. Sec. 17, Ch. 368, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 257, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 132, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 23-3001.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 38. Political Parties › Part 1. General Provisions › 13-38-104. Party rules to be filed with secretary of state

13-38-104. Party rules to be filed with secretary of state.
The state central committee of each political party in this state must file a current copy of the rules of government of the party with the secretary of state.
History: En. Sec. 261, Ch. 571, L. 1979.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 38. Political Parties › Part 1. General Provisions › 13-38-105. City and county central committee rules to be filed with election administrator

13-38-105. City and county central committee rules to be filed with election administrator.
The city and county central committees of each political party of this state shall file a current copy of their rules of government with the election administrator. Rules adopted by a city or county central committee are effective only upon filing with the election administrator.
History: En. Sec. 262, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 198, L. 2019.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 38. Political Parties › Part 1. General Provisions › 13-38-106. Precinct committee representative proxies

13-38-106. Precinct committee representative proxies.
(1) If the use of a proxy by a precinct committee representative elected or appointed pursuant to 13-38-201 is authorized under party rules, the proxy must be:
(a) in writing;
(b) dated on a day or at a time prior to the meeting in which the proxy is used; and
(c) signed or electronically authorized by the precinct committee representative on whose behalf it will be cast.
(2) A precinct committee representative's proxy that is cast in violation of the provisions in this section is invalid, and the outcome of a vote or action determined by the use of a precinct committee representative's unauthorized proxy is void.
History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 198, L. 2019.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 38. Political Parties › Part 1. General Provisions › 13-38-107. Assumed business names and trademarks of central committees

13-38-107. Assumed business names and trademarks of central committees.
Only a city, county, or state central committee of a political party may register an assumed business name, trademark, or service mark for the central committee as provided by 30-13-219 and 30-13-342.
History: En. Sec. 6, Ch. 198, L. 2019.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 38. Political Parties › Part 2. Committee Structure › 13-38-201. Election or appointment of committee representatives at primary -- vacancies -- tie votes

13-38-201. Election or appointment of committee representatives at primary -- vacancies -- tie votes.
(1) Each political party shall appoint or elect at each primary election one person of each sex, as defined in 1-1-201, to serve as committee representatives for each election precinct. The committee representatives must be residents and registered voters of the precinct.
(2) If a political party chooses to appoint precinct committee representatives, the political party shall make the appointments as provided in the party's rules.
(3) If a political party chooses to elect precinct committee representatives, the party may:
(a) administer the election itself as provided in the party's rules; or
(b) elect precinct committee representatives in a primary election, subject to 13-10-209 and subsection (4) of this section.
(4) In a primary election for a precinct committee representative:
(a) if the number of candidates nominated for a party's precinct committee representatives is less than or equal to the number of positions to be elected, the election administrator may give notice that a party's precinct committee election will not be held in that precinct;
(b) if a party precinct committee election is not held pursuant to subsection (4)(a), the election administrator shall declare elected by acclamation the candidate who filed for the position or who filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate. The election administrator shall issue a certificate of election to the designated party.
(c) write-in votes for a precinct committee representative may be counted as specified in 13-15-206(5) only if the individual whose name is written in has filed a declaration of intent as a write-in candidate by the deadline prescribed in 13-10-211(1);
(d) in the case of a tie vote for a precinct committee representative position, the county central committee shall determine a winner.
(5) Pursuant to 13-38-101, a vacancy in a precinct committee representative position must be filled by the party governing body as provided in its rules.
History: En. Sec. 72, Ch. 368, L. 1969; R.C.M. 1947, 23-3401; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 367, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 88, Ch. 414, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 136, Ch. 56, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 75, Ch. 242, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 268, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 61, Ch. 336, L. 2013; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 420, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 685, L. 2023.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 38. Political Parties › Part 2. Committee Structure › 13-38-202. Committee representatives as party representatives -- county and city central committees

13-38-202. Committee representatives as party representatives -- county and city central committees.
(1) Each committee representative shall represent the representative's political party for the precinct in all ward or subdivision committees formed.
(2) The committee representatives in each precinct constitute the county central committee of the respective political parties.
(3) Committee representatives who reside within the limits of a city are ex officio the city central committee of their respective political parties and have the power to make their own rules not inconsistent with those of the county central committee. However, the county central committee has the power to fill vacancies in the city central committee.
(4) Each precinct committee representative serves a term of 2 years from the date of election or appointment pursuant to 13-38-201. Once the term has expired, the position becomes vacant.
(5) Vacancies in the office of precinct committee representative occur only on the death or written resignation of the incumbent or when the incumbent is no longer a resident or registered voter of the precinct. A precinct committee representative may not otherwise be removed from office. If a vacancy occurs, the remaining members of the county central committee may select a precinct resident to fill the vacancy.
History: En. Sec. 73, Ch. 368, L. 1969; R.C.M. 1947, 23-3402; amd. Sec. 137, Ch. 56, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 420, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 198, L. 2019.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 38. Political Parties › Part 2. Committee Structure › 13-38-203. Powers and duties of county and city central committees -- role of state central committee where no county central committee exists

13-38-203. Powers and duties of county and city central committees -- role of state central committee where no county central committee exists.
(1) The county and city central committee may:
(a) make rules for the government of its political party in each county not inconsistent with any of the provisions of the election laws of this state or the rules of its state political party;
(b) elect two county members of the state central committee, one of each gender, elect the members of the congressional committee, and fill all vacancies and make rules in their jurisdiction.
(2) If there is no county central committee, the state central committee shall appoint a county central committee.
(3) Meetings of a central committee that is filling an election vacancy pursuant to 13-10-326 or 13-10-327 must be open to the public. Records of a central committee regarding filling a vacancy pursuant to 13-10-326 or 13-10-327 must be made available for public inspection on request.
(4) County and city central committees are not public agencies of the state. The documents of the county and city central committees are not public records.
History: En. Sec. 74, Ch. 368, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 25, Ch. 365, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-3403; amd. Sec. 138, Ch. 56, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 671, L. 2023.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 13. Elections › Chapter 38. Political Parties › Part 2. Committee Structure › 13-38-204. Committees to fill vacancies among nominees under certain circumstances

13-38-204. Committees to fill vacancies among nominees under certain circumstances.
County and city central committees may make nominations to fill vacancies occurring among the candidates of their respective parties nominated for city or county offices by the primary election if the vacancy is caused by death, resignation, or removal from the electoral district but not otherwise.
History: En. Sec. 75, Ch. 368, L. 1969; R.C.M. 1947, 23-3404.