Montana Code Annotated 2021

TITLE 2. GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION

CHAPTER 4. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT

Part 6. Contested Cases

Informal Disposition And Hearings -- Waiver Of Administrative Proceedings -- Recording And Use Of Settlement Proceeds

2-4-603. Informal disposition and hearings -- waiver of administrative proceedings -- recording and use of settlement proceeds. (1) (a) Unless precluded by law, informal disposition may be made of any contested case by stipulation, agreed settlement, consent order, or default. A stipulation, agreed settlement, consent order, or default that disposes of a contested case must be in writing.

(b) Unless otherwise provided by law, if a stipulation, agreed settlement, consent order, or default results in a monetary settlement involving an agency or the state, settlement proceeds must be deposited in the account or fund in which the penalty, fine, or other payment would be deposited if the contested case had proceeded to final decision. If there is no account or fund designated for the fine, penalty, or payment in the type of action, then the settlement must be deposited in the general fund.

(c) If a stipulation, agreed settlement, consent order, or default results in a nonmonetary settlement involving an agency or the state, settlement proceeds, whether received by the state or a third party, must be recorded in a nonstate, nonfederal state special revenue account established pursuant to 17-2-102(1)(b)(i) for the purpose of recording nonmonetary settlements.

(2) Except as otherwise provided, parties to a contested case may jointly waive in writing a formal proceeding under this part. The parties may then use informal proceedings under 2-4-604. Parties to contested case proceedings held under Title 37 or under any other provision relating to licensure to pursue a profession or occupation may not waive formal proceedings.

(3) If a contested case does not involve a disputed issue of material fact, parties may jointly stipulate in writing to waive contested case proceedings and may directly petition the district court for judicial review pursuant to 2-4-702. The petition must contain an agreed statement of facts and a statement of the legal issues or contentions of the parties upon which the court, together with the additions it may consider necessary to fully present the issues, may make its decision.

History: En. Sec. 9, Ch. 2, Ex. L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 82-4209(4); amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 277, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 451, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 305, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 347, L. 2005.