House Bill No. [insert bill number] proposes significant changes to local government elections in Montana by mandating that these elections be conducted on a partisan basis. The bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), specifically Sections 7-3-112, 7-3-113, 7-3-114, 7-3-219, 7-3-314, 7-3-413, 7-3-513, and 7-3-4262. Key amendments include replacing the term "shall" with "must" in various sections to emphasize the requirement for compliance, and changing the language regarding the type of elections from nonpartisan to partisan.

Additionally, the bill introduces a saving clause to ensure that existing rights and duties, as well as any penalties incurred or proceedings initiated before the effective date of the act, remain unaffected. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval, thereby implementing these changes without delay.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 7-3-112, 7-3-113, 7-3-114, 7-3-219, 7-3-314, 7-3-413, 7-3-513, 7-3-4262
HB0482_1(1): 7-3-112, 7-3-113, 7-3-114, 7-3-219, 7-3-314, 7-3-413, 7-3-513, 7-3-4262
HB0482_1(2): 7-3-112, 7-3-113, 7-3-114, 7-3-219, 7-3-314, 7-3-413, 7-3-513, 7-3-4262
HB0482_1(3): 7-3-112, 7-3-113, 7-3-114, 7-3-219, 7-3-314, 7-3-413, 7-3-513, 7-3-4262
HB0482_1(4): 7-3-112, 7-3-113, 7-3-114, 7-3-219, 7-3-314, 7-3-413, 7-3-513, 7-3-4262
HB0482_1: 7-3-112, 7-3-113, 7-3-114, 7-3-219, 7-3-314, 7-3-413, 7-3-513, 7-3-4262