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 be referred to the Attorney General, the applicable county attorney, or the relevant criminal justice agency with jurisdiction. This change is reflected in the amendments to Sections 33-1-311, 33-1-409, and 33-1-1203 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), which include new provisions for handling criminal matters and maintaining confidentiality regarding investigations.

Additionally, the bill includes an appropriation of $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 implementation of this act is set for July 1, 2025. Overall, the bill seeks to streamline the process of addressing insurance-related criminal activities while ensuring that the Insurance Department's role is clearly defined and separate from criminal justice functions.

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(2): 33-1-311, 33-1-409, 33-1-1203
HB0948_1(3): 33-1-311, 33-1-409, 33-1-1203
HB0948_1: 33-1-311, 33-1-409, 33-1-1203