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MontanaHB 80469th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Revise laws for lobbyist payment threshold

Sponsored By: Steve Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Signed by Governor

State Government

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Higher lobbyist threshold and inflation updates

The law sets the 2025 threshold for lobbying payments at $3,000. If your total payments for lobbying in 2025 are at or below $3,000, you are below key reporting and registration triggers. Every even-numbered year, the commissioner updates the threshold using the June CPI ratio, rounds to the nearest $50, and adopts it by rule. The updated amount takes effect on January 1 of the next odd-numbered year.

New electronic lobbying reports and deadlines

Principals who pay for lobbying must file reports electronically. You report only when your payments exceed the dollar amount set in 5-7-112. In a session year, a report is due by February 15 covering payments made before February 1 to influence legislative action. You must also file by the 15th of the month after any month when you spend at least that amount, and within 30 days after adjournment to cover session spending. For other official actions, file by February 15 of the next year and monthly when a month’s spending meets that amount. File a “no payments” report if none were made. Reports must list payments by category (such as printing, ads, postage, travel, pay and fees, entertainment, communications, and office costs), itemize payee and beneficiary, list any payment giving $25 or more to a legislator and $100 or more shared among legislators, and list contributions or membership fees of $250 or more with payer details. You must identify the major official actions you tried to influence. The commissioner keeps reports for 4 years.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Steve Fitzpatrick

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 372 • No: 119

House vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 56 • No: 42

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 59 • No: 41

Senate vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 35 • No: 13

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 39 • No: 9

House vote • 3/7/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 92 • No: 7

House vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 91 • No: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/13/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/8/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/1/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/1/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/29/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/21/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/18/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/18/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/17/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/11/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading

    4/11/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading

    4/10/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report

    4/8/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action

    4/7/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    3/26/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Committee

    3/19/2025Senate

  17. 1st Reading

    3/14/2025Senate

  18. Transmitted to Senate

    3/7/2025House

  19. 3rd Reading

    3/7/2025House

  20. 2nd Reading

    3/6/2025House

  21. Committee Report

    2/28/2025House

  22. Committee Executive Action

    2/28/2025House

  23. Hearing

    2/26/2025House

  24. 1st Reading

    2/26/2025House

  25. Referred to Committee

    2/26/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/21/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    4/8/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/26/2025

    PDF

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