By Request of the Department of Revenue
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE TO ESTABLISH ALTERNATIVE HOURS FOR COUNTY OFFICES; AMENDING SECTION 2-16-117, MCA; and PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE."
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Section 2-16-117, MCA, is amended to read:
"2-16-117. Office hours. (1) Unless otherwise provided by law, state executive branch offices must be open for the transaction of business continuously from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day except on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Each office must also be open at other times as the accommodation of the public or the proper transaction of business requires.
(2) The state treasurer may, in the interest of safekeeping funds, securities, and records, close the state treasurer's office from noon to 1 p.m. each day.
(3) The Montana historical society, established in 22-3-101, may be open for public visitation at hours other than those prescribed in this section, including hours during evenings and weekends.
(4) The department of revenue may establish alternative office hours for its offices located in the various counties if:
(a) the office is staffed by four or fewer full-time employees;
(b) the department holds a public hearing on the alternative office hours in the county seat after providing public notice in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county at least 2 weeks prior to the hearing;
(c)(a) the county commissioners of a county in which the department employees are located in a county building approve the proposed alternative office hours if the alternative hours are outside of the county's normal business hours; and
(d) the alternative office hours are adopted by administrative rule; and
(e)(b) the office hours adopted pursuant to subsection (4)(d) are published at least two times a year in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county where the office is located are published at least two times a year in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county where the office is located and are posted on the office door and on the department of revenue's website."
NEW SECTION. Section 2. Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.