The proposed bill seeks to amend Montana's campaign finance laws by allowing candidates to receive compensation from their primary campaign depository that corresponds to the salary of the office they are pursuing. This compensation is permitted during designated periods: from the filing deadline to the primary election day for primary candidates, from the primary election day to the general election for candidates not facing a primary, and from the general election day until the candidate is sworn in for those elected. The bill mandates that any expenditures for compensation must be reported, and candidates are prohibited from using surplus campaign funds for compensation after submitting their closing campaign report.

Additionally, the bill revises Section 13-1-101 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to introduce new definitions and clarify existing terms related to campaign finance and election processes, particularly concerning school elections and voting systems. It defines various terms such as "school election," "signature envelope," and "voting system," aiming to enhance clarity and transparency in election-related activities. The bill also includes a codification instruction to ensure that these new definitions and provisions are integrated into the existing legal framework governing elections in Montana.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 13-1-101