Signed by Governor Greg Gianforte

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with senate amendments and pass a bill that requires ballot initiatives include a warning label on the impact to local business.

Highlights:

• Requires each interim committee to review proposed ballot initiatives within the interim committee's subject area and vote to either support or not support the placement of the text of an initiative on the ballot (Sec. 2.g).

• Requires the legislative council to review proposed ballot initiatives and vote to either support or not support the placement of the text of an initiative on the ballot (Sec. 3.g).

• Requires a person who employs a paid signature gatherer to register with the Secretary of State before collecting signatures. The registration must be accompanied by a filing fee of not more than $100 or an amount set by the Secretary of State. The fee must be deposited in an account to the credit of the Secretary of State (Sec. 4.b).

• Authorizes a person who employs a paid signature gatherer to seek a waiver from the fee required by demonstrating a financial inability to pay without substantial hardship (Sec. 4.c).

• Authorizes the Secretary of State to adopt rules to provide for the administration of this subsection (1),  including rules to implement a standard registration form and the waiver provisions (Sec. 4.d).

• Specifies if the Attorney General determines the proposed ballot issue will likely cause significant material harm to one or more business interests in Montana, a warning label must appear on the front page of the petition form (Sec. 5-2.A).

• Requires the Attorney General to, in reviewing the ballot statements, endeavor to seek out parties on both sides of the issue and obtain their advice. The attorney general will review the ballot statements to determine if they contain the following matters (Sec. 6-2):

• A statement of purpose and implication, not to exceed 135 words, explaining the purpose and implication of the issue; and

• Yes and no statements in the form prescribed.

• Requires the Attorney General to review the proposed ballot issue as to whether the proposed issue could cause a regulatory taking under Montana law or otherwise will likely cause significant material harm to one or more business interests in Montana if approved by the voters (Sec. 9.A).

• Specifies if the Attorney General determines the proposed ballot issue will likely cause significant material harm to one or more business interests in Montana, the attorney general will notify the secretary of state, which must include the finding set forth on the final form of the petition (Sec. 9.B).

• Prohibits the Secretary of State from delivering a sample petition form unless the Attorney General's opinion is overruled and the Attorney General has approved or prepared ballot statements if the attorney general determines that the proposed ballot issue is not legally sufficient (Sec. 10.c).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that requires ballot initiatives include a warning label on the impact to local business.

Highlights:

• Requires each interim committee to review proposed ballot initiatives within the interim committee's subject area and vote to either support or not support the placement of the text of an initiative on the ballot (Sec. 2.g).

• Requires the legislative council to review proposed ballot initiatives and vote to either support or not support the placement of the text of an initiative on the ballot (Sec. 3.g).

• Requires a person who employs a paid signature gatherer to register with the Secretary of State before collecting signatures. The registration must be accompanied by a filing fee of not more than $100 or an amount set by the Secretary of State. The fee must be deposited in an account to the credit of the Secretary of State (Sec. 4.b).

• Authorizes a person who employs a paid signature gatherer to seek a waiver from the fee required by demonstrating a financial inability to pay without substantial hardship (Sec. 4.c).

• Authorizes the Secretary of State to adopt rules to provide for the administration of this subsection (1),  including rules to implement a standard registration form and the waiver provisions (Sec. 4.d).

• Specifies if the Attorney General determines the proposed ballot issue will likely cause significant material harm to one or more business interests in Montana, a warning label must appear on the front page of the petition form (Sec. 5-2.A).

• Requires the Attorney General to, in reviewing the ballot statements, endeavor to seek out parties on both sides of the issue and obtain their advice. The attorney general will review the ballot statements to determine if they contain the following matters (Sec. 6-2):

• A statement of purpose and implication, not to exceed 135 words, explaining the purpose and implication of the issue; and

• Yes and no statements in the form prescribed.

• Requires the Attorney General to review the proposed ballot issue as to whether the proposed issue could cause a regulatory taking under Montana law or otherwise will likely cause significant material harm to one or more business interests in Montana if approved by the voters (Sec. 9.A).

• Specifies if the Attorney General determines the proposed ballot issue will likely cause significant material harm to one or more business interests in Montana, the attorney general will notify the secretary of state, which must include the finding set forth on the final form of the petition (Sec. 9.B).

• Prohibits the Secretary of State from delivering a sample petition form unless the Attorney General's opinion is overruled and the Attorney General has approved or prepared ballot statements if the attorney general determines that the proposed ballot issue is not legally sufficient (Sec. 10.c).

Full Bill Text