13-35-240. Voluntary filing of broadcast campaign materials -- affidavit -- penalty. - Montana Statutes

     13-35-240. Voluntary filing of broadcast campaign materials -- affidavit -- penalty. (1) (a) A political committee not organized by or on behalf of a candidate may file with the commissioner of political practices a copy of a campaign script intended for broadcast advertising.
     (b) The committee's authorized agent may sign an affidavit swearing that the content of the script is true and verifiable and may file supporting documentation.
     (2) (a) Scripts and affidavits must be filed in the manner prescribed by the commissioner of political practices.
     (b) The commissioner of political practices shall file the scripts, affidavits, and any documentation in a manner that allows for them to be readily inspected.
     (3) (a) Any person who believes that the content of a script filed pursuant to this section is either untrue or unverifiable may bring the matter to the attention of the county attorney of the county in which the person is a resident.
     (b) The county attorney may investigate the alleged falsification or unverifiability of the script and, if the county attorney determines that sufficient evidence exists to justify a criminal prosecution, shall file a cause of action.
     (c) An allegation of violation of subsection (1) may not be filed with, investigated by, or prosecuted by the commissioner of political practices.
     (4) A person filing an affidavit under this section is subject to the penalty for false swearing under 45-7-202, except that the fine may not exceed $5,000.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 407, L. 2007.