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MontanaSB 1169th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate

Revise local government ballot issue laws

Sponsored By: Forrest Mandeville (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Ballot IssuesCities and TownsCountiesElectionsLocal Government

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Standard rules for local ballot petitions

The law sets one clear process for local ballot issues. A petition needs signatures from 15% of registered voters from the last general election. To force a special election, it needs 25%. File original signed sheets within 90 days after form approval and at least four weeks before certification. The county must certify no later than 85 days before the election. A petition may be circulated no more than one year before the final filing date. Before circulation, submit a sample; the local attorney has 21 days to reject it or to approve it and write a concise statement up to 135 words and a yes/no line. Petitions must cover one subject and include the full text. Sheets must follow size and content rules (max 8.5 by 14 inches) and include an affidavit; online postings must include the required affidavit and may not be modified. Only local qualified electors may sign; a different address alone cannot disqualify a signature; signers may withdraw before final submission. Paying by the signature is banned. A governing body has 60 days to adopt what the petition asks; if it does, no vote is held. Filing a valid petition before an ordinance takes effect delays it, and filing within 60 days can suspend an emergency ordinance, until voters decide. If voters approve a measure, it takes effect when results are declared unless the measure sets another date. These rules apply to local issues submitted on or after the act’s effective date. Governing bodies may also refer measures and must use the short statement and yes/no format.

Resort tax and liquor vote procedures

Resort-area tax questions and county liquor prohibition votes now use the same petition process set in this law or can be sent by resolution. The state updates statutes so the new process applies. The old petition procedures are repealed.

Stronger anti-fraud and safety for petitions

The law cracks down on petition fraud and harassment. It is a crime to knowingly make a false entry on a petition or required affidavit. It is also illegal to physically block or intimidate people collecting signatures. Violators can be fined up to $500, jailed up to 90 days, or both.

Less state control over petition rules

The secretary of state's duty to keep election law uniform does not cover these new local petition rules or Title 13, chapters 35–37. The law limits that uniformity duty by excluding those chapters and sections.

Local marijuana business and tax votes

Voters can seek a local vote to allow or ban some or all types of marijuana businesses by filing a petition under the new rules. Counties can place a local marijuana excise tax on the ballot by petition or resolution. Any tax must be approved by voters, be no more than 3% of retail value, start no earlier than 90 days after the election, and state how the money will be used.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Forrest Mandeville

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 397 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/31/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 50 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/28/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 48 • No: 1

House vote • 3/26/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 3/25/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 100 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/31/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 50 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/30/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 50 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    4/17/2025Senate

  2. Signed by Governor

    4/17/2025Senate

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/8/2025Senate

  4. Signed by Speaker

    4/8/2025House

  5. Signed by President

    4/7/2025Senate

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/4/2025Senate

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    3/31/2025Senate

  8. 3rd Reading House Amendments

    3/31/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading House Amendments

    3/28/2025Senate

  10. Returned to Senate with Amendments

    3/26/2025House

  11. 3rd Reading

    3/26/2025House

  12. 2nd Reading

    3/25/2025House

  13. Committee Report

    3/20/2025House

  14. Committee Executive Action

    3/20/2025House

  15. Hearing

    2/12/2025House

  16. 1st Reading

    2/3/2025House

  17. Referred to Committee

    2/3/2025House

  18. Transmitted to House

    1/31/2025Senate

  19. 3rd Reading

    1/31/2025Senate

  20. 2nd Reading

    1/30/2025Senate

  21. Committee Report

    1/28/2025Senate

  22. Committee Executive Action

    1/27/2025Senate

  23. Hearing

    1/9/2025Senate

  24. Referred to Committee

    1/7/2025Senate

  25. Fiscal Note Printed

    1/7/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    5/9/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    3/20/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    1/28/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    11/26/2024

    PDF

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