This bill seeks to revise 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.

Significantly, the bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) and repeals outdated sections related to the petition process, specifically deleting references to sections 7-5-131 through 7-5-135 and replacing them with new procedures.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 also stipulates that if a petition is filed before or shortly after an ordinance's effective date, the implementation of that ordinance can be delayed until it is ratified by voters. The bill aims to streamline the process for local governments, enhance transparency and accountability in ballot issues, and ensure that the powers of initiative and referendum are reserved for local governments, with certain exceptions.

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