The bill amends Section 76-13-150 of the Montana Code Annotated to update the Fire Suppression Account by removing specific date references related to statutory appropriations. It establishes new reporting requirements for the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, mandating that by November 1 of each fiscal year, the department must report on expenditures made under various subsections of the Fire Suppression Account. This aims to enhance transparency and accountability regarding the use of funds allocated for fire suppression and related activities.

Additionally, the bill modifies the statutory appropriation language, allowing up to 0.5% of all general revenue appropriations in the second year of the biennium to be appropriated annually from the fire suppression account for fire preparedness. The previous language that specified a biennium beginning July 1, 2023, has been deleted, streamlining the appropriation process. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 76-13-150
HB0127_1(1): 76-13-150
HB0127_1(2): 76-13-150
HB0127_1(3): 76-13-150
HB0127_1(4): 76-13-150
HB0127_1(5): 76-13-150
HB0127_1(6): 76-13-150
HB0127_1(7): 76-13-150
HB0127_1: 76-13-150
HB0127_X(1): 76-13-150
HB0127_X(2): 76-13-150
HB0127_X(3): 76-13-150
HB0127_X(4): 76-13-150
HB0127_X(5): 76-13-150
HB0127_X: 76-13-150