2007 Montana legislature lobbying finances on the Web

Reports showing what’s been spent to lobby the Montana Legislature have
been added to information available on the Internet.

The information shows what’s been spent for lobbyists, lobbying support
staff, communication, entertainment and other expenses – information
Montana law requires be reported. Lobbyists registered with the
Commissioner of Political Practices are listed, as well as who they’re
working for. The information can be found at http://www.lobbysearch.mt.gov

Businesses, associations, government agencies and others who pay
lobbyists to work on their behalf must register and report expenses.
Lobbyists who earn more than $2300 per calendar year to lobby are
required to register. The information is available on the Internet, and
data files can be downloaded and searched on a home or business
computer.

"We’re working toward providing internet access to all the information
reported for lobbying and political campaigning in Montana," according
to Dennis Unsworth, Commissioner of Political Practices. "It’s a more
efficient way to do business and simplifies access to the information."

Unsworth said candidate and political committee filings are included in
the next phase of the project that’s scheduled to be completed before
the start of the next regular campaign season in 2008.

The services are being cooperatively developed and are supported by the
Commissioner of Political Practices, the Department of Administration’s
Information Technology Services Division, Fiserv Inc. (Nasdaq: FISV),
Montana Interactive LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of eGovernment
provider NIC (Nasdaq: EGOV), and AssureIT LLP, of Clancy Montana.
Startup funding was provided by the Montana Secretary of State from
candidate filing fees.

For more information:

Dennis Unsworth

Mary Baker or

Kym Trujillo (406) 444-2942