Montana Title 5. Legislative Branch § 5-2-503. Consolidation of legislative branch entities for specified purposes

(a) exercise its substantive functions independently as provided by law;

(b) adhere to administrative policies, including personnel policies, adopted by the legislative council;

(c) submit its budget proposals through the legislative council; and

(d) submit reports required of it as provided in 5-11-210.

(a) coordinate budgeting, recordkeeping, reporting, and related administrative and clerical functions as a consolidated entity, including acknowledgment of actions by the approving authority of the consolidated entity;

(b) include within legislative branch budgets the budget proposals for the legislature and the consolidated entities, separately identified;

(c) provide separate identification for appropriations and expenditures for the legislature and for each of the consolidated entities;

(d) establish procedures for approval of expenditures by the legislature and by each of the consolidated entities; and

(e) provide personnel administration for the legislative branch. The senate and the house of representatives or a consolidated entity with statutory hiring authority may hire its own personnel, subject to administrative procedures established by the legislature and legislative council.