MT HB780

Secretary of State must conduct a public hearing to receive public comments and testimony on proposed statewide ballot issues, including statutory initiatives, statutory referendums, constitutional initiatives, and constitutional convention initiatives

Public hearings must be held during the same period the Legislative Services Division reviews the proposed ballot issue and ballot statements (14 days for most proposals, 7 days for statutory referendums)

Amends MCA sections 13-27-216, 13-27-217, 13-27-218, and 13-27-219 to incorporate the new public hearing requirement into existing ballot issue procedures

New public hearing provision to be codified as part of Title 13, chapter 27, part 2 of Montana Code Annotated