_____________ bill NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the Department of Livestock

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING LAWS RELATED TO THE LIVESTOCK CRIMESTOPPERS ACT; REPEALING THE LIVESTOCK CRIMESTOPPERS COMMISSION; REMANDING THE LIVESTOCK CRIMESTOPPERS COMMISSION DUTIES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LIVESTOCK; AMENDING SECTIONS 81-6-302 AND 81-6-313, MCA; and REPEALING SECTIONS 2-15-3104, 81-6-311, AND 81-6-312, MCA."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Section 81-6-302, MCA, is amended to read:

"81-6-302. Definitions. As used in this part, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Commission" means the livestock crimestoppers commission created in 2-15-3104.

(2)(1) "Department" means the department of livestock created in Title 2, chapter 15, part 31.

(3)(2) "Livestock" includes ostriches, rheas, and emus in addition to other livestock.

(4)(3) "Program" means the livestock crimestoppers program created under 81-6-313."

Section 2. Section 81-6-313, MCA, is amended to read:

"81-6-313. Powers and duties of department -- rules. (1) The department shall may:

(a) create, maintain, and promote a statewide livestock crimestoppers program in order to assist law enforcement agencies in detecting and combating livestock-related crimes; and

(b) consider the commission's recommendations and take action on them.

(2) The department may:

(a)(b) advise and assist in the creation and maintenance of local programs;

(b)(c) encourage the channeling of information from the programs to law enforcement agencies;

(c)(d) foster the detection of livestock-related crimes by the public;

(d)(e) encourage the public, through a reward program or otherwise, to provide information that assists in the prosecution of livestock-related crimes;

(e)(f) promote the state and local programs through the media;

(f)(g) accept gifts, grants, or donations for the furtherance of the program and spend these in compliance with the conditions of the gifts, grants, or donations; and

(g)(h) adopt rules necessary to administer the provisions of this part.

(2) The department shall recommend to the board of livestock:

(a) the names of individuals to be rewarded for providing information used in detecting and combating livestock-related crimes;

(b) the amount of any reward recommended; and

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Repealer. The following sections of the Montana Code Annotated are repealed:

2-15-3104. Livestock crimestoppers commission.

81-6-311. Functions of commission.

81-6-312. Compensation.