MontanaHB 91769th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Revise campaign finance laws

Sponsored By: Eric Tilleman (Republican)

Became Law

ElectionsAppropriations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

One-time $1,000 for campaign reporting

The law provides $1,000 from the general fund to the Commissioner of Political Practices for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. The money supports updates and administration of campaign finance reporting.

Smaller groups file fewer reports

A group is not a political committee and does not have to file as an incidental committee if it gets less than $250 in contributions or spends less than $250. If a committee does not receive designated contributions and does not solicit for election activity, it only reports its expenditures. A nonresident may sign a report when the committee is based outside Montana.

More donor and loan disclosure

When a person gives $35 or more for a named candidate or issue, or in response to an appeal, the committee must list the person’s name, mailing address, job, employer if any, and total giving. Committees must report each loan for a candidate or issue, including lender and any endorser with names, addresses, jobs, employers, dates, and amounts. For fundraising events, if proceeds per person are under $35, the report must include an account of those proceeds.

Tighter spending reports for committees

Incidental committees must itemize each payment with the payee’s name, mailing address, job, business location if any, amount, date, and purpose, plus totals, transfers, loans made, and debts. Payments to consultants, ad agencies, and pollsters must describe the specific services provided. Expenditures must be reported within 30 days, except during the special election period in 13-37-226(2)(d). Committees must ask contributors and lenders for occupation and employer; if not provided, they report what they have.

Clear rules for political ads and groups

The law standardizes key terms in campaign rules. "Election communication" includes paid TV, radio, internet, print, billboards, mailings, and printed pieces, but not news or member messages. "Electioneering communication" is a paid message sent within 60 days before voting to more than 100 people in the district that names a candidate, party, or ballot question, with listed exclusions. "Anything of value" means goods with real use that are usually sold, not freebies. The Commissioner sets rules to decide a group’s primary purpose for campaign activity.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Eric Tilleman
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Steve Fitzpatrick
Republican • House
Wendy McKamey
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 212 • No: 79

House vote • 4/28/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 4/25/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 0

House vote • 4/8/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 59 • No: 38

House vote • 4/7/2025