Generally revise surplus campaign funds laws

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69th Legislature 2025 HB 789.1
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 789
1 HOUSE BILL NO. 789
2 INTRODUCED BY R. GREGG
3
4 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REVISING SURPLUS CAMPAIGN FUNDS LAWS; PROVIDING
5 THAT A LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATE MAY CONTRIBUTE $10,000 IN SURPLUS CAMPAIGN FUNDS TO A
6 FUTURE CAMPAIGN; AND AMENDING SECTION 13-37-240, MCA.”
7
8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
9
10Section 1. Section 13-37-240, MCA, is amended to read:
11 "13-37-240. Surplus campaign funds. (1) A candidate shall dispose of any surplus funds from the
12 candidate's campaign within 120 days after the time of filing the closing campaign report pursuant to 13-37-228.
13 In Except as provided in subsection (2), in disposing of the surplus funds, a candidate may not contribute the
14 funds to another campaign, including the candidate's own future campaign, or use the funds for personal
15 benefit.
16 (2) A legislative candidate may contribute up to $10,000 in surplus campaign funds to the
17 candidate's own future campaign within 120 days after the closing campaign report is filed. This constitutes a
18 contribution from the candidate to the future campaign and not a contribution from any original contributor in the
19 past campaign. A candidate may not treat the contribution as a loan.
20 (3) A successful candidate for a statewide elected or legislative office or for public service
21 commissioner may establish a continuing service account as provided in 13-37-402.
22 (4) The A candidate shall provide a supplement to the closing campaign report to the
23 commissioner showing the disposition of any surplus campaign funds.
24 (2)(5) For the purposes of this section, "personal benefit" means a use that will provide a direct or
25 indirect benefit of any kind to the candidate or any member of the candidate's immediate family."
26 - END -