Montana HB728: Revise campaign finance laws to prohibit contributions from public entities

What the bill says

A bill for an act entitled: "an act revising campaign finance laws to prohibit campaign contributions from public entities; providing exceptions; providing a penalty; and providing a definition.".

From the engrossed text:

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS TO PROHIBIT CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PUBLIC ENTITIES; PROVIDING EXCEPTIONS; PROVIDING A PENALTY; AND PROVIDING A DEFINITION." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: NEW SECTION. Section 1. Prohibition on campaign contributions from public entities. (1) It is unlawful for a public entity, directly or through an intermediary, to make a disbursement for an electioneering communication, a contribution, or an expenditure, or to make an express or implied promise to make a contribution or an expenditure, in connection with a candidate's campaign. (2) It is unlawful for a candidate to solicit, accept, or receive a contribution, expenditure, or disbursement described in subsection (1) from a public entity. (3) An individual who violates subsection (1) or (2) is liable in a civil action pursuant to 13-37-128. (4) The prohibitions in subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to individual public employees. (5) For the purposes of this section, "public entity" means any public association or group, union, hospital, nongovernmental organization, nonprofit, school district, or municipality that receives state or federal funding. NEW SECTION. Section 2. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 13, chapter 37, part 2, and the provisions of Title 13, chapter 37, part 2, apply …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Nicol, Nelly (R, 53) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. May 20, 2025: (H) Died in Process
2. March 12, 2025: (H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal
3. February 28, 2025: (H) Tabled in Committee
4. February 26, 2025: (H) Hearing
5. February 25, 2025: (H) 1st Reading
6. February 25, 2025: (H) Referred to Committee
7. February 25, 2025: (H) Introduced
8. February 24, 2025: (LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
9. February 24, 2025: (LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
10. February 22, 2025: (LC) Draft in Assembly

Common questions

What is HB728?

HB728 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Revise campaign finance laws to prohibit contributions from public entities.

What does HB728 do?

In its own words: A bill for an act entitled: "an act revising campaign finance laws to prohibit campaign contributions from public entities; providing exceptions; providing a penalty; and providing a definition.".

What is the status of HB728?

Failed as of May 20, 2025. Latest action: (H) Died in Process (May 20, 2025).

Who sponsored HB728?

Nicol, Nelly (R, 53).

Where is the official record for HB728?

On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC3085