_____________
bill NO. _____________
INTRODUCED
BY _________________________________________________
By Request of the ****
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT generally revising laws related to drug or human trafficking; providing a reward for information leading to the conviction of drug or human traffickers; requiring a sign proclaiming a reward at all ports of entry, airports, railway stations, and bus stations; exempting the reward from taxation; and PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
WHEREAS, Montana's law enforcement of all types is spread thin over 147,000 square miles; and
WHEREAS, like all states and territories, Montana is experiencing a "Meth Epidemic"; and
WHEREAS, all illegal drugs are a scourge on Montana; and
WHEREAS, Montana received significant sums of money as part of the settlement of these lawsuits; and
WHEREAS, human trafficking destroys all that come into contact with it; and
WHEREAS, drug smugglers and human traffickers rely on a culture of trust between coperpetrators; and
WHEREAS, the easiest way to make drug smugglers and human traffickers stop doing business in Montana is to destroy their culture of trust.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
NEW SECTION. Section 1. Trafficking of illegal drugs -- human trafficking -- reward -- creation of sign. (1) (a) A person, not including peace officers, prosecutors, or judicial officers, who furnishes information to a law enforcement officer leading to a conviction for any of the following must be paid a reward of $50,000:
(i) an offense under Title 45, chapter 9, part 1;
(ii) a felony related to the illegal trafficking or distribution of a Schedule I drug under 50-32-222, except marijuana, or a Schedule II drug under 50-32-224 with a street value of at least $10,000 as determined by the prosecutor; or
(iii) a felony related to human trafficking as defined in 45-5-701.
(b) The department of justice shall develop a secure system for receiving and verifying tips to law enforcement.
(2) The department of transportation shall create a sign proclaiming the $50,000 reward as provided in subsection (1):
(a) that is the same standard size as the "Welcome to Montana" signs posted at all ports of entry into the state; and
(b) in a size-appropriate manner, with permission, in airports as defined in 67-1-101, railway stations or terminals, and bus stations or terminals.
(3) The reward is exempt from garnishment, restitution, attorney fees, and state taxation.
(4) The identity of an informant is not required if:
(a) disclosure would result in substantial risk to the informant or the informant's family; or
(b) maintaining informant confidentiality prevents a successful prosecution and the informant may not receive an award.
(5) If more than one family member or partner as defined in 45-5-206(2) gives information leading to a conviction, only one reward may be given.
(6) Except as provided in subsection (5), if more than one person gives information leading to a conviction and the total reward for one conviction exceeds $100,000, the prosecutor shall decide how to divide the reward on an equitable basis.
NEW SECTION. Section 2. Reward proceeds for information leading to conviction for drug or human trafficking. All payments made under [section 1] are exempt from state taxation under this chapter.
NEW SECTION. Section 3. Codification instruction. (1) [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 44, chapter 4, and the provisions of Title 44, chapter 4, apply to [section 1].
(2) [Section 2] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 15, chapter 30, part 21, and the provisions of Title 15, chapter 30, part 21, apply to [section 2].
NEW SECTION. Section 4. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2023.