Bill > HB539

This bill revises the process for handling gubernatorial veto overrides when the legislature is not in session. Currently, when a governor vetoes a bill outside of a legislative session, the secretary of state must mail bill details to legislators. The bill introduces a new requirement that the secretary of state conduct and publish a daily online tally of legislator votes during the veto override polling process. Specifically, if a bill was approved by two-thirds of members in its original vote, the secretary of state will send each legislator a ballot and return envelope, and must track and publicly display daily voting progress through an online tally that includes which legislators have voted and how they voted. Legislators can return their votes by mail, in person, or by fax, but cannot change their vote once it is received. The bill maintains the existing 30-day voting window and the requirement that two-thirds of members in each legislative house must vote to override the veto for the bill to become law. The bill becomes effective immediately upon passage and approval.

Government Affairs

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC3445