MT HB126

Agencies must contact the primary bill sponsor before beginning work on proposed rules that implement legislation, rather than simply when starting the process, and must attempt contact at least 10 days before publishing the proposal notice

If an agency disagrees with comments from the primary bill sponsor, it must publish the sponsor's unredacted comments in both the proposal notice and adoption notice, along with an explanation of why the comments were not incorporated

Rulemaking notices must include an opportunity for interested persons to request that the agency provide a presentation of the proposed rule and allow public submission of oral or written questions during hearings

Agencies must respond to questions and comments raised during hearings before final adoption of a rule, and must schedule an oral hearing if the proposed rulemaking involves matters of significant public interest

Failure to comply with both the primary sponsor notification requirement and the sponsor publication requirement renders the filing of a proposal notice ineffective