1. (1) A political committee has the meaning as defined in 13-1-101, MCA. A political committee must register with the commissioner at the time and in the manner set out in 13-37-201, MCA, and ARM 44.11.201 and 44.11.302.
2. (2) Subunits of a main political committee, such as county committees or other divisions, that have authority to receive contributions and make expenditures independent of a parent political committee are separate political committees. Subunits within those entities defined under “person” in these rules that have authority to receive contributions and make expenditures independent of the corporation or other entity are also separate political committees.

3. (3) A political committee is not formed by the following:

   1. (a) a de minimis activity, as defined in these rules;
   2. (b) an individual making a contribution through his or her joint checking account;
   3. (c) individual members of an LLC or partnership making a contribution through their joint checking account; or
   4. (d) a candidate and his or her campaign treasurer(s) making an expenditure from or accepting a contribution to the candidate's campaign.

Authorizing statute(s): 13-37-114, MCA

Implementing statute(s): 13-1-101, 13-37-225, 13-37-226, 13-37-229, 13-37-231, 13-37-232, MCA

History: NEW, Eff. 1/1/76; AMD, 1979 MAR p. 652, Eff. 7/1/79; AMD, 1997 MAR p. 1828, Eff. 10/7/97; AMD, 2001 MAR p. 2049, Eff. 10/12/01; TRANS and AMD, from 44.10.327, 2016 MAR p. 28, Eff. 1/9/16; AMD, 2026 MAR, Notice No. 2025-414, Eff. 1/10/26.