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House bill would create special revenue account to fund Missing Indigenous Persons task force
Summary
Representative Tyson Running Wolf told the committee HB 83 would establish a state special revenue account and a $1 appropriation so the Missing Indigenous Persons task force can accept grants, donations and other funds to support investigations and task-force operations; tribal leaders and the Department of Justice supported the measure.
Representative Tyson Running Wolf opened the hearing on House Bill 83 as a measure to create a state special revenue account for the Missing Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Task Force and provide a $1 appropriation to enable the task force to accept gifts, grants and other donations. He said the account would allow the task force to acquire equipment, support outreach and apply for outside funding in addition to limited state allocations.
Proponents representing tribes, tribal organizations, public-health groups and utilities described the committee's request as a straightforward tool to help the MMIP task force raise funds and conduct work on prevention and investigations. Patrick Yawake (Blackfeet) told the committee that "as of today, there are 48 missing indigenous people in the state" and said a dedicated account would make it easier to seek federal and private funds.
Allen Doane, chair of the MMIP task force at the Department of Justice, and Dana Toole, Special Services Bureau Chief at DOJ, described existing support: a MMIP coordinator funded in the 2023 session and roughly $19,000 per year in operating funds for the biennium. DOJ witnesses said the new account is intended to let the task force accept additional resources from non-state sources to expand operations.
Multiple tribal and advocacy groups urged the committee to pass HB 83 as a step to support prevention, investigations and victim services. Sponsor Running Wolf closed by characterizing the bill as a "call to action" and asked the committee for a favorable recommendation.
