2-16-602. Definitions. As used in this part, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Political subdivision" means a local government unit including but not limited to a county, city, or town established under authority of Article XI, section 1, of The Constitution of the State of Montana or a school district.

(2) "Public office" means a position of duty, trust, or authority created by the constitution or by the legislature or by a political subdivision through authority conferred by the constitution or the legislature that meets the following criteria:

(a) the position must possess a delegation of a portion of the sovereign power of government to be exercised for the benefit of the public;

(b) the powers conferred and the duties to be discharged must be defined, directly or impliedly, by the constitution, the legislature, or by a political subdivision through legislative authority;

(c) the duties must be performed independently and without control of a superior power other than the law, unless the legislature has created the position and placed it under the general control of a superior office or body; and

(d) the position must have some permanency and continuity and not be only temporary or occasional.

(3) "State-district" means a public service commission district, a legislative representative or senatorial district, or a judicial district.