This bill aims to revise the laws regarding the allocation of state settlement proceeds by mandating that such funds be deposited into the state general fund, with certain exceptions. Specifically, settlement agreements or amounts ordered to be paid on behalf of the state must be deposited after deducting costs and attorney fees. Exceptions to this requirement include settlements executed before the effective date of the act, funds for the Montana tobacco settlement trust fund, restitution for victims, and recoveries related to natural resource damages. Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to clarify that civil fines and settlement proceeds not designated for specific uses must also be transferred to the general fund by the first business day in January of the subsequent biennium.

The bill also grants the governor the authority to allocate settlement proceeds differently than specified in the new provisions, with a requirement to report such actions to the legislative finance committee. An appropriation of $10,000 from the general fund is allocated to the governor's office for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, to facilitate reporting on the use of this authority. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes provisions for codification within the Montana Code Annotated.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 30-14-143, 30-14-226
HB0472_1: 30-14-143, 30-14-226