(1) For purposes of Title 13, chapters 35 and 37, MCA, and these rules, political committees shall be of three types:

(a) principal campaign committee;

(b) independent committee; and

(c) incidental committee.

(2) These types of political committees are defined as follows:

(a) A principal campaign committee is a political committee that is specifically organized to support or oppose a particular candidate or issue. � There are three types of principal campaign committees.

(i) A ballot issue committee is specifically organized to support or oppose a ballot issue, as defined in 13-1-101, MCA.

(ii) A particular candidate committee is specifically organized to support or oppose a particular candidate. � A particular candidate committee is not the same as a candidate's own campaign organization which, according to ARM 44.10.325(2) is not a political committee.

(iii) A leadership political committee is defined in ARM 44.10.332(1) .

(b) An independent committee is a political committee that is not specifically organized to support or oppose any particular candidate or issue but one that is organized for the primary purpose of supporting or opposing various candidates and/or issues. � There are two types of independent committees:

(i) A political action committee ("PAC") is a committee composed of individuals who contribute their money for the purpose of supporting or opposing candidates or issues upon which the committee agrees.

(ii) A political party committee is a committee formed by a political party organization, as that term is defined in 13-37-216, MCA. � Examples of political party committees are listed in ARM 44.10.333(1) .

(c) An incidental committee is a political committee that is not specifically organized or maintained for the primary purpose of influencing elections but that may incidentally become a political committee by making a contribution or expenditure to support or oppose a candidate and/or issue.

(3) "Primary purpose" shall be determined based upon such criteria as allocation of budget, staff or members' activity, and the statement of purpose or goals of the individuals or person.