House Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to enhance citizen participation in the Attorney General's litigation processes concerning matters of state interest, in alignment with Article II, Section 8 of the Montana Constitution. The bill mandates that the Attorney General provide a statement of intent at least 10 business days before engaging in such litigation, detailing the nature of the case, the state's interest, the Attorney General's position, and a cost projection. Additionally, it requires the scheduling of a public hearing with a minimum of 5 business days' notice to allow for public comment. The Attorney General must consider these comments before proceeding and must respond to them publicly within 5 business days after the hearing.

The bill also introduces provisions for emergency situations, allowing the Attorney General to expedite the statement of intent process if necessary, while still requiring a follow-up to the public comment process. Furthermore, it amends Section 2-15-501 of the Montana Code Annotated to include a requirement for the Attorney General to maintain a permanent register of all litigation cases, which must be updated with cost itemizations and made available for public inspection. This legislation seeks to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of state resources for litigation, thereby fostering greater trust in government actions.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 2-15-501
HB0617_1(1): 2-15-501
HB0617_1(2): 2-15-501
HB0617_1(3): 2-15-501
HB0617_1(4): 2-15-501
HB0617_1: 2-15-501