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Council reviews draft to remove sunset on crime victims compensation funding; motion withdrawn for more review
Summary
Staff presented a provisional draft that would repeal the termination date on the Crime Victims Compensation Account (scheduled to expire 06/30/2027). Senator Smith moved to adopt the draft but withdrew the motion to allow additional member review.
At the council's request staff prepared a provisional bill draft that would remove the statutory sunset date on Montana's Crime Victims Compensation Account so state money directed to the account would not revert to the general fund on 06/30/2027.
Laura Shirley, research analyst, explained that the account was created in 2009 and subsequent extensions have pushed the termination date forward; the draft would repeal the termination language so the account remains in statute. Shirley said the draft would take effect on enactment and noted staff had prepared the language at the chair's direction for council consideration.
Senator Smith moved to submit the draft as the council's bill request; after brief discussion and a request from one council member to discuss the change with their director, the senator withdrew the motion and the council agreed to revisit the bill at the May meeting.
No formal vote occurred; staff will circulate a corrected draft and provide fiscal/accounting summaries on the account balance and streams of revenue before the council considers a formal submission.
