Provide that legislative bill drafting files are public records
This bill makes legislative bill drafting files public records that must be released upon request, affecting the Montana Legislature and the public seeking government transparency. The legislation defines these files to include draft versions of bills, research materials, legal analyses, and communications between legislators and bill drafters, while protecting individual legislators' private writings and communications with their personal staff from disclosure. The bill clarifies that while the Speech or Debate clause protects legislators from prosecution for their legislative acts, it does not prevent the disclosure of bill drafting files under public records laws. Additionally, the law states that a legislator waives privacy protections by sharing documents or communications with anyone other than their personal staff.
Bill status
introduced
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Nov 14, 2024
Last action Jan 15, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
7
Key actions
0
Committee
0
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about LC 1389
Scope: MT
Hi! I can help you understand LC 1389. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline