The bill proposes amendments to Section 7-32-4101 of the Montana Code Annotated, establishing new regulations for local law enforcement services in cities and towns. It mandates that every city and town must have a police department, but allows third-class cities or towns to enter into contracts with local law enforcement agencies to fulfill this requirement. If a city or town does not maintain a police department and lacks an agreement, the county sheriff is required to provide law enforcement services, for which the city or town must pay. The bill also introduces a dispute resolution process for pricing these services, involving mediation by the local government center and, if necessary, binding arbitration to determine a fair price.

Additionally, the bill explicitly supersedes existing unfunded mandate laws, modifying the requirements outlined in sections 1-2-112 through 1-2-116. It includes provisions for cost-sharing between the county and the city or town for any expenses incurred during the dispute resolution process. The bill defines "sheriff" to include both elected and appointed sheriffs or their designees, and it establishes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the act is found invalid, the remaining provisions will still be effective.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 7-32-4101
HB0333_1(1): 7-32-4101
HB0333_1(2): 7-32-4101
HB0333_1(3): 7-32-4101
HB0333_1(4): 7-32-4101
HB0333_1(5): 7-32-4101
HB0333_1(6): 7-32-4101
HB0333_1: 7-32-4101
HB0333_2(1): 7-32-4101
HB0333_2(2): 7-32-4101
HB0333_2(3): 7-32-4101
HB0333_2(4): 7-32-4101
HB0333_2(5): 7-32-4101
HB0333_2(6): 7-32-4101
HB0333_2(7): 7-32-4101
HB0333_2: 7-32-4101