The bill proposes significant changes to Montana's ballot initiative laws by eliminating various review processes and fees associated with ballot initiatives. Key modifications include the removal of interim committee reviews, the elimination of registration fees for paid signature gatherers, and the cessation of attorney general reviews concerning the substantive legality and potential harm to business interests. The bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to reflect these changes, aiming to streamline the ballot initiative process by reducing bureaucratic oversight and associated costs.

Additionally, the bill adjusts the responsibilities of the attorney general regarding proposed ballot issues. It requires the attorney general to notify the secretary of state if a proposed issue conflicts with other ballot measures and prohibits the delivery of sample petition forms for issues deemed not legally sufficient unless the attorney general's opinion is overruled. This legislation emphasizes the importance of ensuring that only legally sufficient ballot issues are presented to voters, thereby maintaining the integrity of the electoral process and preventing potential legal conflicts.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 5-5-215, 5-11-105, 13-27-202, 13-27-204, 13-27-312