[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6624436,"mediaKeyId","2766230-1e2970f6ef59dc30d54b74c800c862c1","parentId",2766230,"title","Bill would bar replacement of ineligible, term-limited candidates","audioSeconds",653,"startMs",5291000,"endMs",5944000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766230-1e2970f6ef59dc30d54b74c800c862c1&start=5291&end=5944","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766230-1e2970f6ef59dc30d54b74c800c862c1/thumbnail_5291000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6624436/Montana/Bill-would-bar-replacement-of-ineligible-term-limited-candidates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624436-bc425947bd28af4554ea269b425241d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603932&Signature=cqJ-Ubpw3dcFv7YASUKtnInyURusF5Pe5dmElXi917BPjxY4kE72oI5igBtEhIwL0YIhIUydt5ACwwUeDkhAMCK~nHD4bUyrgxlRNmSc4~1rWGO6XLr6hg7I8M2yxosygHEXZwwB5PL07D0WPt28dJqvXdjktqt~QEgSP-8D5-O2sO9rqCTxB91v7hEH1wA7MTUkd4W9-9rah8zGzTtItbC-iPUpH7CsITpZAT3tVNELYpME8MlKSi4Fj9X3d6GwCNVMxcKnzmob4tZNj44A85gw85qmFG2ONiKiKOr44RgvCXut251L4s1uTcbj5BydFNzoati4ez9BipPS9G~Txw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","Sen. Shane Morigeau presented Senate Bill 314 to the House State Administration Committee, saying the measure would close a gap that allowed an ineligible candidate to be replaced on the ballot by another person when the original candidate should not have qualified under term-limit rules.

\"If you weren't eligible and you got through and you try to replace someone with an eligible person, you can't do that,\" Sen. Morigeau said, describing the bill as a narrow fix to clarify eligibility and avoid litigation.

No proponents testified in support during the hearing; the Commissioner of Political Practices, Chris Gallus, appeared as an informational witness and described how enforcement of candidate-qualification issues currently functions. Gallus explained that declarations of candidacy are \"self-executing\" — the Secretary of State receives and processes filings and candidates are presumptively on the ballot. Enforcement typically proceeds when a formal complaint is filed and allegations are investigated under statutes and administrative rules. Gallus said that in many qualification disputes, including residency or term limits, whether the document was submitted knowingly and falsely can be the central issue and that removal from the ballot often becomes a court matter rather than one resolvable by administrative action alone.

Committee members asked how the current system can catch ineligible filings earlier. Gallus said the Secretary of State's office sometimes notifies candidates of potential qualification issues, but the office's ability to remove a candidate administratively is limited and the ultimate remedy in contested cases may require court proceedings. The commissioner offered to provide committee members with case references and legal materials.

Sen. Morigeau said the bill is a targeted clarification rather than a broad overhaul of candidate-qualification processes and urged the committee to consider it as a way to reduce post-filing litigation. No vote was taken at the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House State Administration - Mar 25, 2025 10:00 - 13:00","oneSentenceSummary","Sen. Shane Morigeau told the committee Senate Bill 314 would clarify that if an initial candidate is ineligible under term-limit rules, a later replacement cannot be deemed eligible by virtue of replacement; the Commissioner of Political Practices described limitations of administrative removal and enforcement by complaint.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624441,"Bill would create optional training on Montana tribal nations for legislators",790,4484000,5274000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766230-1e2970f6ef59dc30d54b74c800c862c1&start=4484&end=5274","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766230-1e2970f6ef59dc30d54b74c800c862c1/thumbnail_4484000.jpg","/articles/6624441/Montana/Bill-would-create-optional-training-on-Montana-tribal-nations-for-legislators","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624441-934a13463602dd4c782354afcc8043c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603932&Signature=bJXY0RX6P9oGwKXq80O7Fyn6L6Ru0jRtJUnaCEgWxkaW75pwEImE6xQ9xI02V1Pgn68eeSUlpOJsHOCPb52yQfnE1VGa7ZkrQND8u8~ym8q2KJZeMNV6xqHAbB2MHSSd2xj5epa9Zyi8xQQCPsCCFn~fqLxgDjnbgWigk96sc3owrKKt4tSqWZ~PpP92IwSP-WhP72PFeZF0H-o4QZ4hMpqTLFVw5KPPBTgftA7vZq~kN0zSnUPWQWR4zSvhKczJ21I1xJjegk0vLsBCVpIhXBGRQLcvaWPz6xji6uBrdTnT3zyX0qW4Zy-t8jn7ntYl5Up24fwheVfMwUhdYYCgPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Shane Morigeau told the House State Administration Committee Senate Bill 311 would establish an optional training program and updated handbook sections to give Montana legislators better background on tribal nations, federal Indian law and government-to-government relationships.

\"This is intended to just have the committee work with the state tribal relations director and staff to put together an optional training for legislators,\" Sen. Morigeau said, emphasizing the program would not be mandatory but would make deeper, sustained material available beyond the brief orientations legislators often receive.

Proponents included tribal and policy organizations. A Rocky Boy tribal scribe said the training would provide \"important factual information pertaining to Montana tribal nations and our inherent sovereignty, treaties, federal and state policies, and partnerships.\" Keaton Sunchild with Western Native Voice and Imani Kindness Coleman with the Montana Budget and Policy Center urged the committee to pass the bill, saying that roughly 7 percent of Montana residents are Native American and that legislators benefit from foundational training before debating policy that affects tribal citizens.

Sen. Morigeau and staff worked with the governor's office on an amendment that narrowed administrative responsibility: instead of assigning the training to Legislative Services (which earlier fiscal analysis flagged as costly), the amended draft relies on the governor's office and the state tribal relations director. Angie Carter, legislative branch financial director, told the committee the fiscal note posted with the original draft was for the pre-amendment version; after the amendment the governor's office indicated no fiscal note for the revised placement.

Supporters said the training and handbook updates would improve legislative deliberations on topics such as criminal jurisdiction, wildlife management and invasive-species work where tribes and the state interact. No vote was taken; the bill was heard and proponents urged a \"do pass\" recommendation.","Sen. Shane Morigeau proposed Senate Bill 311 to provide optional training about Montana tribal nations, sovereignty and intergovernmental relations; tribes, advocacy groups and policy organizations testified in support while fiscal impacts were narrowed by amendment.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624446,"Committee debates bill requiring disclosures for AI-generated campaign material",2640,1778000,4418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766230-1e2970f6ef59dc30d54b74c800c862c1&start=1778&end=4418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766230-1e2970f6ef59dc30d54b74c800c862c1/thumbnail_1778000.jpg","/articles/6624446/Montana/Committee-debates-bill-requiring-disclosures-for-AI-generated-campaign-material","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624446-3497bc0989ed435c126dce3477b0658b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603932&Signature=nnk0tJs4CsKTuKbjvtoyU5mo3My858i1NN2LE8mxhu0PR3ofwfy1rs0oe5ND1iAh0xoH~J8QWYsQg3gBfGeY0A5H8y2TxnOzgeRvfBqe5NrvqSyvgKOwriye-g7qqwdJNGaV30cAU384lPoclLPLgkezCas7bM2oZi3kTsSDuaMsbXwo0cZIDb~dNqnmwx~b1OT7bITp9LIcO8sDJGT91FMIOBkiukheRMrbtHBvHReBQAwlX9hpFnZqDpOwl69JfmhkgHC5UwonKBNywcfI8njXoJBtTBEjkFrePj7jx5a9aL3CdqGBLe8n7kUqcUL0Z6HDM5sukBprdE8rXItlcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Janet Ellis presented Senate Bill 25, a disclosure-focused measure that would require a visible notice when AI-generated or \"deepfake\" material is used in election advertising within 60 days of an election and would create limited remedies for affected candidates, including injunctive relief and a complaint process with the Commissioner of Political Practices.

\"This is 1 of those bills where I attract more opponents and proponents, but I'm willing to work with them,\" Sen. Ellis said, describing the measure as a disclosure bill rather than a prohibition and citing U.S. Supreme Court precedents on speech and campaign finance as limiting a ban on content.

The bill's initial language prompted detailed questioning from broadcasters and internet-service providers. Rhonda Wiggers of the Broadcasters Association said the industry supported certain clarifications but asked to remove the words \"or should have known\" from language that would impose liability on entities that \"knew or should have known\" content was a deepfake, arguing there is currently no reliable tool to determine automatically whether content is AI-generated. Wiggers also urged striking a requirement that broadcasters make a \"good faith effort\" to determine whether paid content is a deepfake, saying FCC rules generally prevent broadcasters from altering political advertising.

Opponents and industry representatives also sought clarification that service providers and intermediary platforms not be held liable when a paid sponsor supplies material and a broadcaster or platform simply distributes it. Senators and staff circulated an amended version (SB 25.2) that reflected some broadcaster-requested changes: replacing verbs such as \"disseminate\" with the narrower \"pay for or sponsor\" to target the source of paid content, shortening an audio disclaimer from 10 to 8 seconds, and adding exemptions or limited liability language for broadcasters and interactive service providers. Opponents asked the committee to remove language requiring a \"good faith effort\" by broadcasters to identify deepfakes and to add explicit language allowing actions against any violator in courts of equitable jurisdiction.

Several committee members questioned how a court or regulator would prove content was AI-generated. Sen. Ellis said the process would likely be \"complaint driven\" and that the Commissioner of Political Practices has access to software that can assist in identifying synthetic media. The sponsor noted that injunctive relief would require a high burden of proof; she referenced a \"clear and convincing\" standard in the bill for a judge to grant injunctive relief.

Commissioner of Political Practices Chris Gallus appeared as an informational witness and described how complaints are investigated under existing statutes and administrative rules, and industry witnesses asked for explicit statutory protections for service providers that accept and carry paid material. The sponsor signaled openness to amendments and said she would continue working with broadcasters and other stakeholders before further committee action.","Sen. Janet Ellis introduced Senate Bill 25 to require disclosures on AI-generated 'deepfakes' used in campaigns within 60 days of an election and to provide injunctive relief; broadcasters and internet-service stakeholders raised concerns about liability language and technical feasibility.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624451,"Bill would require Secretary of State to publish standardized county election reconciliations",572,932000,1504000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766230-1e2970f6ef59dc30d54b74c800c862c1&start=932&end=1504","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766230-1e2970f6ef59dc30d54b74c800c862c1/thumbnail_932000.jpg","/articles/6624451/Montana/Bill-would-require-Secretary-of-State-to-publish-standardized-county-election-reconciliations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624451-834fb89abbef5065de396f43d7e5e8ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603932&Signature=b4x~b9FuBodVo0mOHAGPIeKlYKJOrKyIot5cpttK~rUG-8PE6GwbuBqjTcGLtEpGaMwW7zG7o7IPtkXS5pAV0PIDckUfluI0w6t~sMAw8ojki2XUkIbRb66fBA8ibW0kInj2ogDLyl3m5Ggi966aPrcVK0D9ntF6MHgK6nspf1duz-0asoavAlJaj2oQsXNegd-JgJe4EGyHhRoxuqso-WXb9oArX5w7tFlAHMR3fW9KeZjcj6AGzQG3bZbYJyG5XUgPjUQNBwuhHtQFjluXYIxufAlN-v5tk2QR2VSMbVw~ba0IUqV52muATfeCflc3jkub3Jggbu2qbbPPtLc2lA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Therese Manzella, sponsor of Senate Bill 440, told the House State Administration Committee the bill would require the Secretary of State to collect a standardized, comprehensive reconciliation of canvassed statewide election results and make the report available to legislators and the public before state certification.

\"This bill is a pretty basic bill. To safeguard and purify our process, the legislature needs to have some basic data provided to us,\" Sen. Manzella said, citing the committee's experience with the Butte-Silver Bow recount as motivation to provide an earlier look at county-level numbers.

Manzella described the data requested as totals by county for electors, ballots issued and cast by type (poll, absentee, provisional, military/overseas), totals accepted and rejected by type, and the number of same-day registrants. The sponsor said the Secretary of State should issue a template to standardize reporting across counties.

The bill would apply only to \"statewide canvassed election results,\" the sponsor and amendment authors said, excluding municipal or school elections. Senators and witnesses cited statute sections used for timing: county canvass is completed within 14 days (cited as 13-15-401) and state certification occurs by about 27 days after the election (cited as 13-15-501). The proposed reconciliation would be available roughly seven days before state canvass/certification so legislative leadership could be \"read in\" to discrepancies prior to final certification.

Regina Plettenberg, representing the Montana Association of Clerk and Recorders, told the committee many counties already compile spreadsheets with similar data and that the Secretary of State's standardized template could reduce extra effort and make comparisons \"apples to apples.\" Committee members asked where reports would be sent; the sponsor said the Secretary of State would submit the report to the Legislative Service Division for distribution to all members of the legislature, post it to the statewide election website and present it to the House State Administration Committee.

Questions touched on who in the legislature would act if discrepancies were found. Sen. Manzella said legislative leadership would decide next steps and, depending on the problem, steps could range from reviewing precincts to appointing a special select committee, as was done in the Butte-Silver Bow matter.

No committee vote occurred. The hearing record shows informational testimony from the clerk-and-recorder association and discussion about workload and standardization; sponsors said they had worked with election administrators on the template and training.","Sen. Therese Manzella proposed Senate Bill 440 to require a standardized reconciliation report from counties to the Secretary of State and distribution to the legislature and public ahead of state certification; proponents and clerks discussed scope and workload.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624456,"Committee hears bill to add standardized election definitions",470,350000,820000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766230-1e2970f6ef59dc30d54b74c800c862c1&start=350&end=820","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766230-1e2970f6ef59dc30d54b74c800c862c1/thumbnail_350000.jpg","/articles/6624456/Montana/Committee-hears-bill-to-add-standardized-election-definitions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624456-b98d04666654e985a7fe33cdfa59948d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603932&Signature=CzzjTo0Y3qHLKwt2Lc568M1hOVZS8XDQ~YDa10hFq~fDN5AKgu-vggvhbSLIYqMLxqg0AAFvbWmbuDsuSV1SZmxfRr~6w6xWmNbcXWwUSp-gxkaDjCQGkCwsy8VIIAD9UZ1GympRjLb0w4ikfNu-ljqpZ5xoyyMzNM1yaPHPO158Jek0RFS2Tq1At~KtBW~SgviGytKSeKIhwtb1Q~C~1PHO~YwV2elGPDbM989Vwu7oDKO-vTeDxVWYZeYp3jqk15dIWZ0Ctp6praGfLsXrH6Y-1HdJcxw3XzEkM8LgPIhMIWDfeH1r2PfRGjAxf3-LlkGrM-yKfZSIMS~LgzEmOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Shelly Vance, sponsor of Senate Bill 360, told the House State Administration Committee the bill would place commonly used election terms into Montana law to reduce confusion among voters, candidates and administrators.

\"Definitions are essential,\" Sen. Vance said in her opening remarks, arguing that clearer statutory language would improve consistency, implementation and public confidence in elections.

The bill drew support from the Montana Association of Clerk and Recorders. Regina Plettenberg, speaking online for the association, said: \"These are terms that we use often ... and it'll be good to have it defined in law so that ... we're all on the same page.\" Plettenberg added that the definitions would help county election officials coordinate and communicate with the public.

Committee members focused questions on specific definitions. Representative Byrne asked whether the bill's definition of \"overvote\" covered two different situations: when an individual ballot records more selections than allowed and when the tabulator shows more ballots counted than the number of voters. Sen. Vance and other sponsors clarified that in the bill \"overvote\" refers to an individual ballot where a voter marks more choices than permitted; the separate issue of the tabulator or ballot-count discrepancies is addressed elsewhere in the draft under \"ballot number variance.\" Representatives pressed for clearer, distinct terms so election officials and the public would distinguish between mis-marked ballots and aggregate count discrepancies.

No formal action was taken; the sponsor said she would be available for questions and reserved the right to close at a later date. The hearing record shows proponents on the topic and committee discussion but no vote or amendment recorded during this session.

The bill remains at the hearing stage pending further committee deliberations.","Sen. Shelly Vance introduced Senate Bill 360 to place common election terminology into statute; clerks and recorders backed the idea while members asked for clarity on terms such as \"overvote\" and \"ballot number variance.\"","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill would bar replacement of ineligible, term-limited candidates

Bill would create optional training on Montana tribal nations for legislators

Committee debates bill requiring disclosures for AI-generated campaign material

Bill would require Secretary of State to publish standardized county election reconciliations

Committee hears bill to add standardized election definitions