Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 82. MINERALS, OIL, AND GAS

CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Part 3. Trusts for Unlocatable Mineral Owners

Trust For Unlocatable Mineral, Leasehold, And Royalty Interest Owners -- Penalty

82-1-305. Trust for unlocatable mineral, leasehold, and royalty interest owners -- penalty. (1) A person may not personally hold for longer than 6 months any bonuses, rental payments, royalties, or other income for unlocatable owners or claimants of an interest in minerals underlying a tract of land. Within the 6-month period, the person shall petition the district court for creation of a trust, as provided in 82-1-302.

(2) A person failing to comply with subsection (1) is liable for all attorney fees and court costs and interest on funds subject to subsection (1) at twice the current average passbook account rate paid by financial institutions in any district in which the property or part of the property is located.

History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 513, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 126, L. 1997.