(1) As used in this rule, "federally filing committee" means any committee that files reports with the federal election commission on a monthly or quarterly basis pursuant to the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended.

(a) If a federally filing committee's reports filed with the federal election commission fully disclose the source and disposition of all contributions and expenditures used in elections in Montana, the commissioner shall accept copies of such reports in lieu of the periodic reports prescribed by the Campaign Finances and Practices Act. Such reports need to be filed with the commissioner only for periods in which a federally filing committee receives contributions from Montana sources or makes expenditures in elections in Montana. A copy of a statement of organization (FEC Form 1) shall accompany the first report, and copies of any amendments thereto shall be filed with the commissioner.

(b) This rule does not affect the duty of any such committee under 52 USCS Sec. 30113 to file copies of reports with the Montana Secretary of State.

(c) If a federally filing committee cannot satisfy the requirements set forth in these rules, it shall file reports on the COPP's forms for the periods in which the committee makes expenditures and contributions in elections in Montana. Such reports shall contain the information required by 13-37-229 through 13-37-232, MCA, and these rules.

(2) Committees headquartered outside the state of Montana that are not federally filing committees and that make expenditures and contributions in elections in Montana may satisfy the requirements of the Montana Campaign Practices Act in one of two ways:

(a) if the committee files reports with a state officer in its home state, the commissioner may accept copies of such reports in satisfaction of the requirements of the Montana Campaign Finances and Practices Act if those reports fully disclose the source and disposition of all expenditures and contributions used in elections in Montana. Such reports need to be filed only for periods in which the committee makes expenditures and contributions in elections in Montana. A copy of a statement of organization or equivalent statement shall accompany the first such report, and copies of any amendments thereto shall be filed with the commissioner as they occur.

(b) if a nonresident committee cannot satisfy the requirements set forth in (a), it shall file reports on Montana forms for the periods in which the committee makes expenditures and contributions in elections in Montana. Such reports shall contain the information required by 13-37-229 through 13-37-232, MCA, and these rules.