House Bill No. introduced by J. Gillette aims to revise the laws regarding state settlement proceeds by mandating that such proceeds be deposited into the state general fund. The bill specifies that after deducting costs and attorney fees, settlement amounts resulting from claims or litigation on behalf of the state must follow this requirement, with certain exceptions. These exceptions include settlements executed before the bill's effective date, funds for the Montana tobacco settlement trust fund, restitution to victims, and recoveries related to natural resource damages. Additionally, the bill amends existing sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to clarify the handling of civil fines and settlement proceeds, allowing for the transfer of excess funds to the general fund.

The bill also introduces provisions for the governor to authorize alternative allocations of settlement proceeds and requires the governor to report to the legislative finance committee if this authority is exercised. An appropriation of $10,000 from the general fund is designated for the office of the governor to facilitate reporting on the use of this authority. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes codification instructions for the new sections.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 30-14-143, 30-14-226
HB0472_1(1): 30-14-143, 30-14-226
HB0472_1(2): 30-14-143, 30-14-226
HB0472_1: 30-14-143, 30-14-226