(1) As used in this rule, "federally-filing committee" means a state party central committee, a qualified multi-candidate committee under 2 U.S.C. Sec. 441(a) (4) , or any other committee which 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 funds used to influence 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 be filed with the commissioner only for periods in which a federally-filing committee receives contributions from Montana sources or expends funds to influence 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 2 U.S.C. Sec. 439 to file copies of reports with the Montana secretary of state.

(2) Committees headquartered outside the state of Montana which are not federally-filing committees and which expend funds to influence 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 funds used to influence elections in Montana.   Such reports need be filed only for periods in which the committee expends funds to influence 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 the preceding subsection, it shall file reports on Montana forms for the periods in which the committee expends funds to influence elections in Montana.   Such reports shall contain the information required by 13-37-229 and 13-37-230, MCA, and these rules.

(3) A copy of a report or statement filed pursuant to this rule need not be filed with a county election administrator in Montana.