On Friday, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock vetoed a bill to increase the maximum allowable contributions from individuals and political action committees and place the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices under the jurisdiction of the state attorney general.

Senate Bill 368 would also have prohibited the Commissioner of Political Practices from filing criminal cases against candidates and transitioned complaints to the court of the defendant’s residence.

In his veto, Gov. Bullock stated the bill would undermine the effectiveness of the office and the up to 300% increase to some contribution limits was beyond what was acceptable to Montanans.

Gov. Bullock went on to say Senate Bill 368 would undo the progress the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices and the 2015 Montana Disclose Act have made over the last two years.

The Montana Legislature adjourned the 2017 regular session April 28, 2017.  House Bill 340, eliminating the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices, made it through the House but was tabled in the Senate and did not pass.

Senate Bill 368, increasing contribution limits for both individuals and political action committees and placing the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices under the jurisdiction of the state Attorney General, passed at the last minute and will be sent to the Governor.

The Montana Legislature will pick up again in January 2019.

Top Montana legislators canceled a meeting this week to nominate a new Commissioner of Political Practices when an agreement could not be reached.

In a meeting held last week, members of the bipartisan House and Senate leadership committee, tasked at nominating candidates for approval by the governor, were only able to agree on one nominee out of seven applicants.

By law, two nominations are required before Gov. Steve Bullock can approve a potential candidate. If no decision is reached by the committee, Gov. Bullock may choose a replacement who must then be confirmed by the Senate.

The search for a new commissioner is happening concurrently with a legislative session where Republican lawmakers are trying to eliminate the office and position.

House Bill 340, aimed at dismantling the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices, passed in the House last month and has been referred to committee for review in the Senate.

This week the Montana House of Representatives passed House Bill 340, a bill to dismantle the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices. The bill was transmitted to the Senate on Tuesday after passing a final vote in the House.

The passage of House Bill 340, aiming to split the Commissioner’s current duties between the Secretary of State and Attorney General, was not unanimous.

Democratic lawmakers believe transferring power to two inherently partisan offices will not remedy what Republican lawmakers are characterizing as a partisan witch-hunt from current outgoing Commissioner Jonathon Motl.

Political contribution limit changes proposed this summer by the Montana Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices take effect today.

The adjustments affect the amount of contributions individuals, political parties, and political committees may make to candidates for the office of governor and other statewide positions.

Additionally, as also proposed this summer by the Commissioner’s office, electronic filing of reports is scheduled to begin in January.