Mont. Code Ann. § 5-2-503

5-2-503 . Consolidation of legislative branch entities for specified purposes. (1) An entity of the legislative branch that is consolidated as provided in 5-2-504 shall:

(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 .

(2) The legislative services division shall:

(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.

(3) The legislative council shall allocate office space occupied by the legislative branch for the use of a consolidated entity as necessary. Space occupied by the senate or the house of representatives may not be reallocated except as provided in 2-17-108 . The location of the chambers of the house of representatives and the senate must be determined as provided by 2-17-101 .