Senate Bill 537 seeks to revise the distribution of marijuana tax revenue in Montana by creating several new state special revenue accounts aimed at wildlife and habitat conservation. These accounts include the Habitat Legacy Account, the Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodation Account, the Land and Wildlife Stewardship State Special Revenue Account, and the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project State Special Revenue Account. The bill also appropriates funds for law enforcement and support for homeless shelters through the Healing and Ending Addiction Through Recovery and Treatment Account. Notably, it removes the requirement for a fee on certain law enforcement grant applications and adjusts the allocation of funds from the marijuana state special revenue account, increasing the transfer to the HEART account and modifying the percentages for other accounts.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws related to wildlife habitat improvement projects, expanding eligible activities to include both terrestrial and aquatic habitat improvements, water enhancement projects, and addressing negative impacts on wildlife habitats. It establishes a scoring system for project proposals and modifies administrative cost limits for the managing department. Importantly, any unspent funds at the end of a fiscal year must remain in their respective accounts, ensuring continued support for conservation efforts. The legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_1(1): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_1(2): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_1(3): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_1(4): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_1(5): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_1(6): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_1(7): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_1: 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_2(1): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_2(2): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_2(3): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_2: 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(1): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(10): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(2): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(3): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(4): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(5): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(6): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(7): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(8): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(9): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X: 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808