13-27-112. Required reports -- time and manner of reporting -- exceptions -- penalty. - Montana Statutes

     13-27-112. Required reports -- time and manner of reporting -- exceptions -- penalty. (1) Except as provided in this section, a person who employs a paid signature gatherer shall file with the commissioner reports containing those matters required by Title 13, chapter 37, part 2, for a political committee organized to support or oppose a ballot issue or for an independent committee that receives contributions and makes expenditures in connection with a ballot issue, as applicable. If a person who employs a paid signature gatherer is required by Title 13, chapter 37, part 2, to file a report pursuant to those provisions, the person need not file a duplicate report pursuant to this section, but shall report the matter required by subsection (2) as part of that report. As used in this section, "a person who employs a paid signature gatherer" means a political party, political committee, or other person seeking to place a ballot issue before the electors and does not mean an individual who is part of the same signature gathering company, partnership, or other business organization that directly hires, supervises, and pays an individual who is a signature gatherer.
     (2) The reports required by subsection (1) must include the amount paid to a paid signature gatherer.
     (3) Reports filed pursuant to this section must be filed at the same time, in the same manner, including the certification required by 13-37-231, and upon the same forms as required for reports filed pursuant to Title 13, chapter 37, part 2, except as the rules of the commissioner may otherwise provide.
     (4) A person who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished as provided by law.

     History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 117, L. 1999.