HJ 11: Resolution supporting a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens' United - Montana

HJ0011_1(12).pdf → HJ0011_2(9).pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill text was updated to reflect a revised version (HJ0011.2) with a new set of sponsors and expanded 'Whereas' clauses that emphasize specific voting statistics and the 2012 Initiative No. 166. The core request for a federal constitutional amendment remains unchanged.

TECHNICAL

The header metadata was updated to reflect the new bill version number (HJ0011.2) and a revised list of sponsoring legislators.

REQUIREMENT

New clauses were added to the preamble to highlight that the 1912 Corrupt Practices Act passed with over 76% of the vote and to cite specific election spending figures from 2006 to 2024.

The text was reorganized to include a new clause stating that citizens view money as property rather than free speech, and that constitutional rights belong to human beings only.

HJ0011_2(8).pdf → HJ0011_1(10).pdf · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten with new sponsors and a significantly altered text. The original version focused on the history of Montana's anti-corruption laws and the impact of Citizens United, while the new version explicitly defines corporate rights as belonging to human beings only and mandates strict regulation of political spending to prevent money from buying influence.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a historical statement of grievances to a specific request for a constitutional amendment that legally defines rights as belonging solely to humans and prohibits entities from having separate constitutional rights.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the list of original sponsors and replaced them with a new set of sponsors.

DEFINITION

Deleted detailed historical context regarding the 1912 Corrupt Practices Act and specific election spending statistics from 2006 to 2024.

Added explicit language stating that rights protected by the Constitution belong to human beings only.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement that any entity, including organizations, may not have rights under the Constitution separate from the rights of its individual human members.

Added a mandate for federal, state, and local governments to regulate, limit, or prohibit contributions and expenditures to ensure equal access to the political process.

HJ0011_1(9).pdf → HJ0011_2(8).pdf · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill text was updated from version 1 to version 2, reflecting a revision in the legislative process. The most significant substantive change is the addition of specific historical context and statistics in the 'Whereas' clauses, highlighting the 76% voter approval of the 1912 Corrupt Practices Act and the massive increase in election spending since the Citizens United decision. The core request for a federal constitutional amendment remains unchanged.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific historical data regarding the 1912 Corrupt Practices Act, noting it passed with over 76% of the vote and a majority in every county.

Included statistics on election spending in Montana Senate races, contrasting $17.6 million in 2006 with approximately $300 million in 2024.

Inserted a clause stating that the Montana people regard money as property rather than free speech.

TECHNICAL

Updated the header and bill number from 'HJ 11.1' to 'HJ0011.2' to reflect the new version.

Changed the list of sponsoring legislators, indicating that the bill was re-introduced or co-sponsored by a different set of representatives.

HJ0011_2(7).pdf → HJ0011_1(9).pdf · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly rewritten and reorganized, changing the list of sponsoring legislators and restructuring the text of the proposed constitutional amendment. The core policy goal remains the same: to request a federal amendment that strips corporations and other entities of constitutional rights separate from their human members, thereby allowing governments to regulate campaign spending and enforce disclosure requirements.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's sponsorship changed entirely, replacing the original list of sponsors with a new set of legislators. The substantive scope of the proposed constitutional amendment remains focused on limiting corporate rights in elections, though the specific wording of the clauses was altered.

ELIGIBILITY

The list of legislators who introduced the bill was completely replaced with a new set of names.

DEFINITION

The text of the proposed constitutional amendment was rewritten. The original version included specific historical context about the 'War of the Copper Kings' and detailed spending statistics (e.g., '$300 million in 2024'), which were removed in favor of a more concise version.

REQUIREMENT

The specific wording of the five clauses within the proposed amendment was altered, though the intent to limit corporate rights and require spending disclosure remains consistent.

TECHNICAL

The document header and page numbering were updated to reflect the new version number (HJ 11.1 instead of HJ0011.2).

HJ0011_1(8).pdf → HJ0011_2.pdf · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill text was updated to reflect a new version number (HJ0011.2) and a revised list of sponsors, indicating a change in legislative leadership. The substantive policy language regarding campaign finance reform, including the argument for a constitutional amendment and specific spending statistics, remains unchanged in its core content.

TECHNICAL

The bill number was updated from HJ 11.1 to HJ0011.2, and the header format was slightly adjusted.

ELIGIBILITY

The list of legislators sponsoring the bill was completely replaced with a new set of names, indicating a change in who introduced the resolution.

HJ0011_1(2).pdf → HJ0011_1(3).pdf · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill was amended to replace the name of a single legislator, M. Romano, with L. Reksten in the list of sponsors. This change updates the official record of who introduced the bill but does not alter the bill's text, scope, or legal requirements.

TECHNICAL

The list of bill sponsors was updated to remove M. Romano and add L. Reksten, reflecting a change in the bill's sponsorship.

LC2888.pdf → HJ0011_1.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from LC 2888 to HJ 11 and updated to reflect the 2025 legislative session. The primary substantive change is the addition of a complete list of sponsors, including E. Stafman and others, replacing the blank signature line. The core text of the resolution, which urges Congress to clarify that constitutional rights belong only to human beings and not corporations, remains unchanged.

TECHNICAL

Bill number changed from LC 2888 to HJ 11.

A full list of sponsors was added, replacing the blank space for signatures.

The legislative session year was updated to 2025.

Resolution supporting a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens' United

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