Dozens of Montana legislators, the governor and several top staff members often use personal email accounts to discuss government business, a practice criticized nationwide for circumventing public disclosure and threatening security. The recent presidential election put unprecedented focus on the use of personal email by government officials. Less attention has been paid to the practice in Montana even though it is widespread.
Until 2015, only legislative leaders were offered emails at mt.gov. About one-third of legislators continue to use personal accounts as their primary or sole legislative email. A records request released last year showed that Gov. Steve Bullock and several top staff members use personal accounts to conduct some state business. Montana has no plan to retain emails from personal accounts even if they contain discussions of state business. State policy also does not require employees or elected leaders to use government accounts exclusively. Similarly, other forms of personal electronic communication — such as texting and social media messaging — are not retained even though many elected leaders say they use the tools on the job. Continue…