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MontanaHB 81869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Ban foreign funding for ballot measures

Sponsored By: Braxton Mitchell (Republican)

Became Law

Ballot IssuesElections

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Foreign money banned in ballot campaigns

The law bans foreign nationals from giving, spending, or promising money for any statewide ballot issue. The ban covers election ads, contributions, and other spending, whether done directly or through others. No one may ask for, accept, or use money they know came from a foreign national for a statewide ballot issue.

New paperwork for campaigns and committees

Each candidate, political committee, and joint fundraising committee must appoint one campaign treasurer. They must give the treasurer’s full name and address to the commissioner. Candidates must file within 5 days after becoming a candidate. Committees must file within 5 days after making or authorizing an expenditure. A committee placing a ballot issue must file within 5 days after it submits the issue to the secretary of state. Joint fundraising committees must also list all participants. Ballot‑issue committees must get a written affirmation from each donor stating the donor is not a foreign national, and the treasurer must keep these records.

Penalties, time limits, and FEC referrals

Violations of the foreign‑national bans and other campaign‑finance rules face civil penalties. A court can order the greater of $500 or three times the unlawful amount. The state must file within two years, and only one judgment can be entered for the same facts. This civil action is the state’s exclusive remedy for these rules. If a matter also breaks federal foreign‑money rules, the commissioner or a county attorney must refer it to the Federal Election Commission. The law takes effect on passage and approval.

Who counts as a foreign national

The law defines "foreign national" broadly. It includes foreign governments, foreign political parties, people who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, and entities based or organized abroad. A U.S. company that is wholly or mostly foreign‑owned also counts as foreign, unless it employs people who pay Montana income tax and the company pays Montana property tax, or the money and decisions come only from U.S. operations and U.S. citizens or green‑card holders (not just an overall budget). These exceptions are narrow and must be met for each contribution or expense.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Braxton Mitchell

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 465 • No: 276

House vote • 4/30/2025

Do Adopt

Yes: 37 • No: 13

House vote • 4/30/2025

Do Adopt

Yes: 56 • No: 44

House vote • 4/29/2025

Do Adopt

Yes: 39 • No: 11

House vote • 4/29/2025

Do Adopt

Yes: 55 • No: 43

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 45 • No: 54

House vote • 4/12/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 38 • No: 12

House vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur As Amended

Yes: 34 • No: 14

House vote • 4/10/2025

AMD-HB0818.002.001 Cuffe D/PASS

Yes: 47 • No: 1

House vote • 3/7/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 57 • No: 42

House vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 57 • No: 42

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/19/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/7/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/6/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/5/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    5/2/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/30/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted

    4/30/2025Senate

  9. 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted

    4/30/2025House

  10. 2nd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted

    4/29/2025House

  11. 2nd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted

    4/29/2025Senate

  12. Conference Committee Report Received

    4/28/2025House

  13. Hearing

    4/26/2025House

  14. Conference Committee Appointed

    4/24/2025Senate

  15. Conference Committee Appointed

    4/22/2025House

  16. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments Not Concurred

    4/17/2025House

  17. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/12/2025Senate

  18. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/12/2025Senate

  19. 2nd Reading Concurred as Amended

    4/10/2025Senate

  20. 2nd Reading Motion to Amend Carried

    4/10/2025Senate

  21. Committee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/9/2025Senate

  22. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/9/2025Senate

  23. Hearing

    4/7/2025Senate

  24. Hearing Canceled

    4/6/2025Senate

  25. Hearing

    4/5/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • As Amended (Version 4)

    5/1/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    5/1/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    4/10/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    4/9/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/26/2025

    PDF

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