House Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to revise insurance laws related to the State Auditor's Insurance Department by clarifying its role and responsibilities. The bill specifies that the Insurance Department is not a criminal justice agency and mandates that any insurance investigations that may involve criminal matters be referred to the Attorney General, the applicable county attorney, or another relevant criminal justice agency. The bill also includes amendments to existing sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), specifically Sections 33-1-311, 33-1-409, and 33-1-1203, to reflect these changes.

Additionally, the bill appropriates $250,000 from the general fund to the Attorney General for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, to support the enforcement of criminal insurance laws based on referrals from the Insurance Commissioner. The effective date for the provisions of this act is set for July 1, 2025. The amendments emphasize the separation of the Insurance Department's regulatory functions from criminal justice responsibilities, ensuring that criminal matters are handled by appropriate legal authorities.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 33-1-311, 33-1-409, 33-1-1203
HB0948_1(1): 33-1-311, 33-1-409, 33-1-1203
HB0948_1: 33-1-311, 33-1-409, 33-1-1203