Montana 2025 Regular Session

Montana House Bill HB482 Latest Draft

Bill / Introduced Version

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69th Legislature 2025 	HB 482.1
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1 HOUSE BILL NO. 482
2 INTRODUCED BY L. SCHUBERT, S. KELLY, E. ALBUS, T. SHARP, E. BYRNE, D. ZOLNIKOV, G. 
3 OBLANDER, L. DEMING, G. KMETZ, Z. WIRTH
4
5 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REVISING LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS; REQUIRING 
6 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON A PARTISAN BASIS; AMENDING SECTIONS 7-3-
7 112, 7-3-113, 7-3-114, 7-3-219, 7-3-314, 7-3-413, 7-3-513, AND 7-3-4262, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN 
8 IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.”
9
10 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
11
12 Section 7-3-112, MCA, is amended to read:
13 "7-3-112.  (1) For the purpose of determining the 
14 statutory basis of existing units of local government after May 2, 1977, each unit of local government organized 
15 under the general statutes authorizing the county manager form of government shall must be governed by the 
16 following sections:
17 (a) 7-3-301;
18 (b) 7-3-303;
19 (c) 7-3-304;
20 (d) 7-3-305;
21 (e) 7-3-312(2);
22 (f) 7-3-313(1) or (2);
23 (g) 7-3-314(2) 7-3-314;
24 (h) 7-3-315(1);
25 (i) 7-3-316(2);
26 (j) 7-3-317(2);
27 (k) 7-3-318.
28 (2) Commissioners are elected to 6-year terms. The size of the commission shall must be  **** 
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1 established by ordinance, but it may not exceed five members."
2
3 Section 7-3-113, MCA, is amended to read:
4 "7-3-113.  (1) For the purpose of 
5 determining the statutory basis of existing units of local government, each unit of local government organized 
6 under the general statutes authorizing the municipal council-mayor form of government, which does not adopt a 
7 new form, shall must be governed after May 2, 1977, by the following sections:
8 (a) 7-3-201;
9 (b) 7-3-202(1);
10 (c) 7-3-203;
11 (d) 7-3-212(2);
12 (e) 7-3-213(3);
13 (f) 7-3-214(2);
14 (g) 7-3-215(2);
15 (h) 7-3-216(2);
16 (i) 7-3-217(1);
17 (j) 7-3-218(2);
18 (k) 7-3-219(1) 7-3-219;
19 (l) 7-3-220(1);
20 (m) 7-3-221(3);
21 (n) 7-3-222(2);
22 (o) 7-3-223(2).
23 (2) This form has terms of 4 years for all elected officials. The size of the commission shall must be 
24 established by ordinance, but it may not exceed 20 members."
25
26 Section 7-3-114, MCA, is amended to read:
27 "7-3-114.  (1) For the purpose of 
28 determining the statutory basis of existing units of local government after May 2, 1977, each unit of local  **** 
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1 government organized under the general statutes authorizing the municipal commission-manager form of 
2 government shall must be governed by the following sections:
3 (a) 7-3-301;
4 (b) 7-3-302(1);
5 (c) 7-3-303;
6 (d) 7-3-304;
7 (e) 7-3-305;
8 (f) 7-3-312(3);
9 (g) 7-3-313(1);
10 (h) 7-3-314(2) 7-3-314;
11 (i) 7-3-315(2);
12 (j) 7-3-316(2);
13 (k) 7-3-317(2);
14 (l) 7-3-318.
15 (2) This form has terms of 4 years for all elected officials. The size of the commission shall must be 
16 established by ordinance, but it may not exceed five members."
17
18 Section 7-3-219, MCA, is amended to read:
19 "7-3-219. 
20 (1) partisan basis; or
21 (2) nonpartisan basis."
22
23 Section 7-3-314, MCA, is amended to read:
24 "7-3-314. 
25 (1) partisan basis; or
26 (2) nonpartisan basis."
27
28 Section 7-3-413, MCA, is amended to read: **** 
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1 "7-3-413.  Local government elections shall must be conducted on a :
2 (1) partisan basis; or
3 (2) nonpartisan basis."
4
5 Section 7-3-513, MCA, is amended to read:
6 "7-3-513.  Local government elections shall must be conducted on a :
7 (1) partisan basis; or
8 (2) nonpartisan basis."
9
10 Section 7-3-4262, MCA, is amended to read:
11 "7-3-4262. 
12 said a city shall must be elected or appointed with reference to their qualifications and fitness and for the good 
13 of the public service and without reference to their political faith or party affiliations on a partisan basis."
14
15 NEW SECTION. Section 9.  [This act] does not affect rights and duties that matured, 
16 penalties that were incurred, or proceedings that were begun before [the effective date of this act].
17
18 NEW SECTION. Section 10. Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.
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