Bill > HB788

This bill requires attorneys of record in civil proceedings to disclose specific campaign contributions they have made in the past 6 years. These disclosures must include contributions to the presiding judge's campaign committee and any contributions to independent committees, incidental committees, or third-party organizations that supported the judge's campaign. Attorneys must file these disclosures with their first court filing and promptly update them if any information changes. If an attorney has not made any such contributions, they must file a statement confirming this fact. The bill allows the presiding judge to impose sanctions on attorneys who fail to accurately or timely file these disclosures, and it grants a private right of action to any party or opposing attorney in the proceeding to take legal action against an attorney who does not comply. The bill uses standard definitions for terms like "contribution" and "expenditure" from existing Montana election law, and it is intended to be incorporated into Title 25, Chapter 4, Part 1 of Montana's legal code, which governs civil procedure.

Government Affairs

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC3578