Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte repealed two executive orders issued by former Gov. Steve Bullock.

Executive Order 15-2018 required companies to report political spending if they wanted to bid on large state contracts.

The order also required companies bidding for certain state contracts to disclose political donations made within 60 days of an election.

The second order allowed county election clerks to expand voting by mail for the November general election to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The order also required counties to offer in-person voting, but it did not require polling places to be open on election day.

A federal judge on Monday upheld an executive order by Gov. Steve Bullock requiring companies to report political spending if they want to bid on large state contracts.

U.S. District Judge Charles Lovell ruled the Illinois Opportunity Project does not have the legal standing to challenge the governor’s 2018 order requiring reporting of contributions even to so called dark money groups.

Judge Lovell had dismissed the complaint in January due to lack of standing.

However, he gave the Illinois Opportunity Project another chance to prove the executive order would cause it to suffer an actual or imminent, as opposed to hypothetical, loss of a legally protected right.

Under Bullock’s order, companies submitting bids for contracts valued at more than $25,000 for services or $50,000 for goods must disclose two years’ worth of political spending if the spending exceeds $2,500.

The order allows Montana to bring transparency to spending by groups classified as social welfare organizations under the federal tax code.

Gov. Steve Bullock announced Thursday Montana counties have the option to hold the November general election by mail.

If counties decide to hold a mail-in ballot election, ballots will be sent on October 9.

Return postage will be provided.

Voters will still be able to vote in-person if they choose.

Gov. Bullock allowed counties to hold a mail-in ballot primary election in June.

Ultimately, all 56 counties used mail ballots for the primary, which had record turnout.

Gov. Steve Bullock issued a directive on Wednesday authorizing counties to conduct upcoming elections entirely by mail.

The directive allows counties to decide whether to adopt a mail ballot for the June primary election.

Montanans are still permitted to vote in person during the 30-day voting window, even if they have received a mail ballot.

If counties choose to participate in mail voting for the June primary, they must submit plans to do so.

Mail ballots would be released on May 8 and early voting would be available in person through the close of the primary election on June 2.

Voters will not be required to pay postage to return their ballots by mail.

Montana Governor Steve Bullock has named a new commissioner of political practices, according to the Independent Record.

Jonathan Motl will begin service as the commissioner by June 10 to complete the final three years of a six-year term left vacant by prior unconfirmed appointees. A Senate confirmation hearing for the position will not be held until early 2015.

The Montana Senate and the House both adjourned sine die on April 24, 2013, three days ahead of the Legislature’s scheduled adjournment date.

Governor Steve Bullock, who does not have a pocket veto, has 10 days upon delivery to sign, veto, or recommend amendments to bills.

The Legislature, which meets in regular session for 90 working days in every odd-numbered year, will have its next regular session in 2015.

Photo of the Montana State Capitol courtesy of Wikipedia.