Citizens Guide: How to Get Involved 

You have the constitutionally-protected right to have your voice heard by your elected officials.

The Constitutions of the United States and of the State of Montana ensure every citizen the right to speak on every public issue and to be heard by officials at every level of government.

The Montana Legislature extends that right to any bill (which includes any resolution). Montana’s Legislature functions in a completely open atmosphere. After full consideration and with comments and advice from the public, every vote by committee and by either house must be a public vote.

To learn more about the current legislative session, the best resource is the Montana Legislative Branch website. At this website, you can find information about the status and substance of a bill, who your legislators are and how to contact them, livestream hearings, and more! 

Lobbying Information

The Commissioner of Political Practices also makes information about lobbying money in Montana publicly available. Any member of the public can see who is registered as a lobbyist, who is a principal (a person or entity that pays lobbyists to lobby on their behalf), and how money is spent to influence legislation and legislators.

To see how money is spent, there are two databases to reference:

One database stores lobbying reports that are submitted digitally via the lobbying database. These digital reports from 2009 - present can be found in the Principal and Lobbyist Online Reporting System. Reports that are filed as paper hardcopies or are emailed or faxed are available (along with digital reports) on our 2009 - present digitized hard copy platform. Montana does not mandate electronic filing- so filings submitted by lobbyists and principals who file hard copy (paper) reports can only be accessed via the digitized hard copy platform. Electronic filings can be found via either database.

Do you plan to lobby?

If so, first review and know all the information in the current Lobbying Guide, which includes information on how to register, details on required financial reports, and more. Then check out our Lobbying FAQs for answers to popular questions!

Register and File L-5 Financial Reports

Click the green button above to access the Lobbyist & Principal Online Reporting System (LPORS) to register as a lobbyist or principal, and submit L-5 reports

• Lobbying 101 (quick guide to terms & forms)  
• Lobbying and Montana's 2025 Legislative Session- PowerPoint or PDF guide to terms and forms 

-  How to access the online system as a Lobbyist or Principal

-Guide to registering as a new lobbyist; Guide to registering as a lobbyist who received a request to represent from a principal

-Guide to registering as a new principal; Guide to registering as a principal who has received a request to represent from a lobbyist

- L-5 Lobbying Financial Report guide

- All lobbying reports are uploaded and publicly accessible in one of two databases. One database stores lobbying reports that are submitted digitally via the Principal and Lobbyist Online Reporting System. These digital reports from 2009 - Present can be found in our Principal and Lobbyist Online Reporting System. Reports that are filed as paper hard copies or are emailed or faxed are available on our 2009 - Present digitized hard copy platform.

Laws, Rules, and Complaint Information

- Lobbying Laws (MCA)
- Lobbying Administrative Rules (ARM)
- Docket of Formal Complaints
- Complaint Procedure
- Decisions
- Advisory Opinions

Lobbyist and Principal Forms

Form L-1, Lobbyist Application
Form L-2, Principal Authorization Statement
Form L-3, Principal Registration Application
Form L-5, Lobbying Financial Report
Lobbying License Fee Waiver Request

List of Registered Principals and Lobbyists for

2024-2024 Due 1st Tuesday following the beginning of the regular session 5-7-207, MCA

2023-2024 Excel sheet or PDF with 2023-2024 registered principals and lobbyists (and L-5 dates) Due 1st Tuesday following the beginning of the regular session 5-7-207, MCA

2021-2022 Excel sheet or PDF with 2021-2022 registered principals and lobbyists (and L-5 dates)

2019-2020 Excel sheet or PDF with 2019-2020 registered principals and lobbyists (and L-5 dates)