Bill
Bill > HB286
MT HB286
Revise election laws to provide for verification of an elector’s citizenship.
summary
Introduced
01/22/2025
01/22/2025
In Committee
01/23/2025
01/23/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
05/20/2025
05/20/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REVISING ELECTOR REGISTRATION LAWS; REQUIRING THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO RECORD THE UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP STATUS OF REGISTERED ELECTORS; REQUIRING THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES TO DETERMINE THE CITIZENSHIP STATUS OF NEW APPLICANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CONTINGENCY; REQUIRING PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP BY NEW APPLICANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CONTINGENCY; PROVIDING FOR THE REMOVAL OF ELECTORS WHO FAILED TO DEMONSTRATE UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP IN THE EVENT OF A CONTINGENCY; PROVIDING RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; AMING SECTIONS 13-2-108, 13-2-109, 13-2-110, 13-2-402, AND 61-14-301, MCA; AND PROVIDING EFFECTIVE DATES.”
AI Summary
This bill revises Montana's election laws to enhance voter registration citizenship verification processes. The bill requires the Secretary of State to record and verify the United States citizenship status of registered voters and new voter registration applicants. New voter registration applicants will be required to provide proof of citizenship through rulemaking procedures established by the Secretary of State. If an applicant cannot demonstrate US citizenship, they will be registered as a provisional voter and may potentially have their registration canceled. The bill amends several existing statutes to add citizenship verification steps, including modifications to rules for maintaining voter registration lists, determining registration sufficiency, and establishing grounds for voter registration cancellation. Specifically, the bill allows for voter registration cancellation if an elector fails to demonstrate US citizenship, and it requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to assist the Secretary of State in verifying citizenship status for applicants who submit a Montana driver's license. Most provisions will become effective on October 1, 2025, with certain sections only taking effect when federal law allows states to determine citizenship status of voter registration applicants. The bill includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the act is found invalid, the remaining valid sections will still stand.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
(H) Died in Process (on 05/20/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
Document Type | Source Location |
---|---|
State Bill Page | https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1203 |
State Bill Page | https://bills.legmt.gov/#/lc/bill/2/LC1203 |
Fiscal Note HB0286_1 | https://docs.legmt.gov/download-ticket?ticketId=f8225b3c-7bc4-4357-a9c2-1339354ce557 |
BillText | https://docs.legmt.gov/download-ticket?ticketId=3fd138c0-cefb-4a9e-8006-cd9639f7c88e |
BillText | https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=266125 |
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