House Bill 917 aims to revise Montana's campaign finance laws by updating definitions and clarifying reporting requirements for political committees, particularly incidental committees. The bill introduces a new definition for "incidental committee," which is characterized as a political committee not primarily organized to support or oppose candidates or ballot issues but may do so incidentally. It also specifies that a political committee is not formed when individuals make election communications or independent expenditures of $250 or less, or when candidates collaborate on their own campaign communications.

Additionally, the bill allows individuals who are not Montana residents to sign incidental committee reports if the committee is located outside the state. It includes an appropriation of $1,000 from the general fund to the commissioner of political practices for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, to assist with the implementation of these changes. Overall, the revisions are designed to enhance transparency and streamline the regulatory framework surrounding campaign finance in Montana.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 13-1-101, 13-37-226, 13-37-232
HB0917_1(1): 13-1-101, 13-37-232
HB0917_1(2): 13-1-101, 13-37-232
HB0917_1(3): 13-1-101, 13-37-232
HB0917_1(4): 13-1-101, 13-37-232
HB0917_1: 13-1-101, 13-37-232
HB0917_X(1): 13-1-101, 13-37-232
HB0917_X(2): 13-1-101, 13-37-232
HB0917_X(3): 13-1-101, 13-37-232
HB0917_X(4): 13-1-101, 13-37-232
HB0917_X(5): 13-1-101, 13-37-232
HB0917_X: 13-1-101, 13-37-232