MT HB272

Legislative bill drafting files are classified as public records subject to disclosure upon request, including draft bill versions, research materials, legal analysis, emails between legislators and bill drafters, and communications with third parties.

The Speech or Debate clause in Montana's Constitution protects legislators from criminal or civil prosecution for legitimate legislative acts, but does not create confidentiality protection against public records disclosure.

Legislators may protect from disclosure only their private writings/documents not shared with others and communications with their personal staff; sharing such materials with another person waives this protection.

Communications between legislators and chamber staff or legislative branch staff (Legislative Services Division, Fiscal Division, Audit Division) are not protected and must be disclosed under public records requests.

The act takes effect immediately upon passage and approval.