Lobbyists Spend $5.8 million at 2015 Montana Legislature

Lobbyists spent at least $5.8 million to influence Montana lawmakers and the issues they discussed this year.

Preliminary data from the Commissioner of Political Practices shows lobbying spending in 2015 remained at about the same level as it was over the last eight years, though some individual firms stepped up their soliciting game.

The Montana Association of Realtors topped the list, spending $237,000 — the most ever recorded by a single entity lobbying the legislature and $100,000 more than it spent in 2013.

Realtors President Ryan Swinney says the American Association of Realtors chipped in $50,000 to help the Montana chapter oppose a new law that will disclose home prices.

The 2015 lobbying expense total is expected to increase slightly when final numbers are released Thursday afternoon.