The bill revises the procedures and requirements for local government ballot issues in Montana, aiming to uphold 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 local ordinances. Key provisions include the requirement for petitions to address a single comprehensive subject, a sample petition review by the county election administrator, and a clear timeline for signature gathering and submission. Additionally, petitions must include a concise statement of purpose and implication, along with yes and no statements for voters.

The legislation amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) and repeals outdated sections related to previous petition processes, specifically deleting references to sections 7-5-131 through 7-5-135 and incorporating new procedural guidelines from sections 1 through 13. It establishes that petitions must be signed by at least 20% of the electors and outlines necessary forms and verification processes. The bill also includes penalties for violations related to petitioning and is effective immediately upon passage, applying to any local government ballot issue submitted thereafter. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance clarity and efficiency in local government electoral processes in Montana.

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