Bill > SB408

This bill aims to explicitly establish legislative bill drafting files as public records that must be made available upon request, in line with Montana's existing public records laws. The bill defines a legislative bill drafting file as a comprehensive record of a bill's development, including draft versions, research materials, legal analyses, and communications between legislators, bill drafters, and third parties. Specifically, the bill specifies that these files can contain draft bill versions, bills or laws from other states, research reports, articles, e-mails, and any other materials compiled during the bill drafting process. The legislation reinforces Montana's constitutional commitment to government transparency by ensuring public access to the behind-the-scenes documentation of how proposed legislation is created. The bill includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the act is found invalid, the rest of the act remains in effect, and it will become effective immediately upon passage and approval. By codifying this provision within existing public records statutes, the bill seeks to formalize and protect the public's right to understand the legislative process more completely.

Government Affairs

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0871