The bill aims to revise laws regarding executive exemptions to public records requests in Montana, specifically narrowing the scope of such exemptions. It establishes a limited executive exemption that allows the governor to withhold specific public information only when the governor's individual privacy interest clearly outweighs the merits of public disclosure. Notably, the bill clarifies that the governor does not have a privacy interest in public information related to policy, politics, or legislative matters. Additionally, the executive exemption is set to expire once the underlying issue is resolved, and it can be waived if the information is voluntarily disclosed to a third party.

The bill also includes several amendments to existing definitions and provisions. It removes the requirement for the award of costs and reasonable attorney fees for a prevailing party in public records litigation, which was previously mandated. The definitions of "confidential information" and "public information" are revised to ensure clarity and consistency in the application of the law. The bill is designed to enhance government accountability and transparency while ensuring that the public's right to access information is upheld, in alignment with the Montana Constitution. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_1(1): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_1(2): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_1(3): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_1(4): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_1(5): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_1(6): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_1(7): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_1: 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_2(1): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_2(10): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_2(11): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_2(12): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_2(13): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_2(14): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_2(2): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_2(3): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_2(4): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_2(5): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_2(6): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_2(7): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_2(8): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_2(9): 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_2: 2-6-1002, 2-6-1009, 90-1-105
HB0271_X(1): 2-6-1002, 90-1-105
HB0271_X(2): 2-6-1002, 90-1-105
HB0271_X(3): 2-6-1002, 90-1-105
HB0271_X(4): 2-6-1002, 90-1-105
HB0271_X(5): 2-6-1002, 90-1-105
HB0271_X(6): 2-6-1002, 90-1-105
HB0271_X(7): 2-6-1002, 90-1-105
HB0271_X(8): 2-6-1002, 90-1-105
HB0271_X: 2-6-1002, 90-1-105