This bill aims to revise the distribution of marijuana tax revenues in Montana by establishing new special revenue accounts for various state departments. It creates a Marijuana Administration State Special Revenue Account to be used by the Department of Revenue for administering local-option marijuana excise taxes. Additionally, it establishes a Correctional Officer State Special Revenue Account for recruitment and retention efforts within the Department of Corrections, and a Marijuana Distribution Account for the Department of Justice, which will fund crime-fighting programs and public safety initiatives. The bill also amends existing laws to adjust the allocation of funds from the Marijuana State Special Revenue Account, including a new statutory appropriation for these accounts.

Key amendments include changes to the distribution of excess funds in the Marijuana State Special Revenue Account, with specific percentages allocated to the newly created accounts and other existing funds. For instance, 11% of excess funds will go to the HEART account, while 6% will be allocated to the Marijuana Distribution Account, and 1.5% each to the Correctional Officer State Special Revenue Account and the Treatment Court Support Account. The bill also revises the language regarding the local-option marijuana excise tax, ensuring that a portion of the tax revenue is allocated to the Department of Revenue for administrative costs. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2023, with certain sections effective upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 16-12-111, 16-12-310, 17-1-508, 17-7-502