Bill > SB47

This bill enhances the committee review process for statewide ballot initiatives in Montana by modifying several sections of existing election law. The key changes include expanding the legal sufficiency determination to include court decisions (in addition to the attorney general's review), and explicitly requiring legislative committee review when a proposed statewide initiative is found legally sufficient. Specifically, when a court or the attorney general determines an initiative is legally sufficient, the secretary of state must provide the legislative services division with the initiative's text, which will then forward it to an appropriate interim legislative committee for review. The committee must hold a public hearing and vote to either support or not support placing the initiative on the ballot, though this vote cannot be reflected in the initiative's official language or ballot title. The bill also allows the committee to request fiscal notes and permits remote or conference call meetings. The changes apply to all statewide ballot issues submitted to the secretary of state on or after the bill's effective date, and the bill becomes effective immediately upon passage and approval.

Government Affairs

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/20251/LC0615