Technology (Government Transparency)

This bill requires Montana's campaign electronic reporting system to generate a unique web address for every file, report, and search result it maintains. The change directly affects political campaigns, candidates, and the public by making it easier to locate and verify campaign finance information online. The legislation does not alter existing reporting requirements but adds a technical feature to improve data accessibility. It takes effect on July 1, 2025, and applies to all campaign filings processed through the state system.

This bill establishes a limited executive privilege for the governor in Montana, allowing the withholding of specific public records only when the governor's individual privacy interest clearly outweighs the public's right to know. The law requires any withheld information to be narrowly tailored and redacted only to the minimum extent necessary, with courts reviewing redactions to ensure they meet the privacy standard. The exemption automatically expires after 60 days or once the underlying issue is resolved, and it is waived if the information is voluntarily shared with a third party. Additionally, the bill defines confidential information more precisely and allows prevailing parties in public records lawsuits to recover reasonable attorney fees and costs.

HB 271 revises laws concerning executive exemptions to public records requests, aiming to replace a common law privilege with a statutory framework. It allows the Governor to assert a limited executive exemption for specific information only when their individual privacy interest clearly outweighs the merits of public disclosure, requiring the exemption to be narrowly tailored. The bill defines "confidential information" restrictively and sets a maximum duration of 60 days for an exemption to last. Additionally, it requires the award of costs and reasonable attorney fees to a prevailing party in public records litigation.