WeVote
Log In

Bill

SF

Bill

HB 804

Revise laws for lobbyist payment threshold

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Fitzpatrick

HB 804 adjusts Montana's lobbyist registration payment threshold, changing which paid advocates must publicly disclose their lobbying activities and clients.

Chapter Number Assigned
#stategovernment
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 804

Legislative bill overview

HB 804 revises Montana's laws governing the financial threshold at which individuals must register as lobbyists. The bill adjusts the payment amount that triggers mandatory lobbyist registration and reporting requirements. This appears to be a technical update to existing lobbyist disclosure regulations.

Why is this important

Lobbyist registration thresholds directly affect government transparency and public accountability. The threshold determines which paid advocates must publicly disclose their clients, compensation, and lobbying activities—information voters and watchdogs use to identify potential conflicts of interest. Raising or lowering this threshold changes how much lobbying activity remains hidden from public view.

Potential points of contention

  • Transparency vs. compliance burden: Lowering the threshold increases disclosure requirements but may impose administrative costs on small advocacy organizations; raising it reduces transparency by allowing more lobbying to go unreported
  • Effective date and retroactivity: Questions about when the new threshold applies and whether previously registered lobbyists below the new threshold must de-register
  • Inflation adjustment mechanism: Whether the threshold should automatically adjust for inflation in future years, or require legislative action each time

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.