SEN. WALTER MCNUTT (R) 110 12TH AVENUE SW SIDNEY, MT 59270-3614 HOME: 482-4966 WORK: 488-4400 e-mail: walt@lyrea.com
SEN. JON TESTER (D) RR1 BOX 709 BIG SANDY, MT 59520-9708 HOME: 378-3182 e-mail: Tester@3Rivers.net (for use during interim only)
Session Law Citation
section 168, Chapter 584, Laws of 1999
The Court Funding and Structure Committee was created, along with the Local Government Funding and Structure Committee, by Senate Bill No. 184 during the 1999 Session. The committees' enabling language states that the "purpose of the committees is to conduct a study of funding local government, including the courts, to ascertain the best method of allocating current and future resources, while providing a complementary funding relationship between local government and state government...The study must explore regional concepts, as well as further lifting of local government revenue restrictions and de-earmarking of revenue to local governments."
The two committees are required to coordinate their work and meet together at least once every 6 months. The committees' final report must include recommendations and bill drafts necessary to streamline local government functions as well as provide a complementary funding structure between state and local governments.
The Department of Administration is responsible for staffing both committees. The Department may, however, "request assistance from or the use of the resources of the legislative, judicial, and executive branch agencies to accomplish their studies."
