Montana Code Annotated
Part 1. Commissioner of Political Practices
13-37-121. Inspection of statements and reports -- issuance of orders of noncompliance

13-37-121. Inspection of statements and reports -- issuance of orders of noncompliance. (1) Each statement and report filed with the commissioner during an election or within 60 days after the election must be inspected within 20 days after the statement or report is filed. A statement or report concerning Title 13, chapter 37, part 6, must be inspected within 20 days after filing. Intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays must be excluded in the computation of time under this section. If a person has not satisfied the provisions of this chapter, the commissioner shall immediately notify the person of the noncompliance. Notification by the commissioner may be accomplished by written or electronic communication or by telephone. If the person fails to comply after the notification, the commissioner shall issue an order of noncompliance as provided in this section.
(2) An order of noncompliance may be issued when:
(a) upon examination of the official ballot, it appears that the person has failed to file a statement or report as required by this chapter or that a statement or report filed by a person does not conform to law; or
(b) it is determined that a statement or report filed with the commissioner does not conform to the requirements of this chapter or that a person has failed to file a statement or report required by law.
(3) If an order of noncompliance is issued during a campaign period or within 60 days after an election, a candidate or political committee shall submit the necessary information within 5 days after receiving the order of noncompliance. Upon a failure to submit the required information within the time specified, the appropriate county attorney or the commissioner may initiate a civil or criminal action pursuant to the procedures outlined in 13-37-124 and 13-37-125.
(4) If an order of noncompliance is issued during any period other than that described in subsection (3), a candidate, political committee, or reporting entity as defined in 13-37-601 shall submit the necessary information within 10 days after receiving the order of noncompliance. Upon a failure to submit the required information within the time specified, the appropriate county attorney or the commissioner shall initiate a civil or criminal action pursuant to the procedures outlined in 13-37-124 and 13-37-125.
(5) After a complaint is filed with the commissioner pursuant to 13-37-111, the procedure described in this section regarding the provision of notice and issuance of orders of noncompliance is not a prerequisite to initiation of any other administrative or judicial action authorized under chapter 35 of this title or this chapter.
History: En. 23-4787 by Sec. 12, Ch. 480, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 64, Ch. 365, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4787(1) thru (3); amd. Sec. 238, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 410, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 401, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 337, L. 2019.

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