Missoula County agrees to sign resolution opposing bill that would limit public-funded associations' lobbying

Missoula County commissioners approved signing a resolution opposing proposed legislation described as Senate Bill 254, which county staff said would prohibit associations funded with public money from lobbying.

County staff member Chris Lansbury presented the request and said the proposed bill, sponsored by Sen. Greg Hertz according to the presentation, "would prohibit associations that are funded with public funds from lobbying on behalf of the members of the association." Lansbury told commissioners that the restriction would affect Montana Association of Counties and other associations that provide coordinated legislative feedback from elected county officials and staff and that counties perform many state functions under state rules.

Lansbury said the county and its associations track nearly 200 bills across categories and that prohibiting associations from lobbying would shift the burden of direct legislative engagement to individual elected officials and increase travel and workload. He noted national parallels and exemptions that allow national associations of elected officials to lobby at federal and state levels and framed the resolution as a request that the legislature continue to permit intergovernmental associations to provide input.

The board moved and seconded to sign the resolution; the motion passed on a voice vote when the chair asked, "All in favor? Aye." Commissioners asked whether the bill had been scheduled for hearing; Lansbury said the sponsor indicated it would soon reach the Senate Local Government Committee.

The resolution will be sent to the county's legislative delegation and to Montana Association of Counties along with an expression of support for allowing associations to provide legislative feedback.