The bill revises the procedures and requirements for local government ballot issues in Montana, reinforcing the rights of initiative and referendum as guaranteed by the state constitution. It introduces new definitions for "local government" and clarifies the petitioning process for elections on ordinances, mandating that petitions address a single comprehensive subject and include specific transition provisions if applicable. The legislation outlines detailed procedures for signature gathering, verification, and the steps local governments must follow to refer ballot issues to voters, including the preparation of concise statements of purpose and implications.

Additionally, the bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) and repeals outdated sections related to the petition process, specifically deleting references to sections 7-5-131 through 7-5-135 and replacing them with new procedures. It establishes that if a petition is filed before or shortly after an ordinance's effective date, it can delay or suspend the ordinance until ratified by voters. The bill also introduces regulations regarding signature-gathering, including penalties for false entries and intimidation of gatherers, and is set to take effect immediately upon passage, applying to local government ballot issues submitted after its effective date.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_1(1): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_1(2): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_1(3): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_1(4): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_1(5): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_1(6): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_1(7): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_1: 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_2(1): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_2(10): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_2(11): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_2(12): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_2(13): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_2(14): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_2(15): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_2(16): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_2(17): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_2(2): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_2(3): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_2(4): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_2(5): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_2(6): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_2(7): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_2(8): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_2(9): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_2: 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(1): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-1-201, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(10): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(11): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(12): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(13): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(14): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(15): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(16): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(17): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(18): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(19): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(2): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-1-201, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(20): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(21): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(22): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(23): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(24): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(25): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(26): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(27): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(28): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(29): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(3): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-1-201, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(30): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(31): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(32): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(33): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(34): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(35): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(36): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(37): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(38): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(39): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(4): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-1-201, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(40): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(41): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(42): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(43): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(44): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(45): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(46): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(47): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(48): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(49): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(5): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(6): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(7): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(8): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3(9): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_3: 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-1-201, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_X(1): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-1-201, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_X(2): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-1-201, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_X(3): 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-1-201, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311
SB0011_X: 3-10-101, 3-11-101, 7-1-4130, 7-3-1204, 7-5-131, 7-6-1504, 13-1-201, 13-10-612, 13-27-611, 16-1-205, 16-12-301, 16-12-311