Montana Code 76-15-904. Coal bed methane protection account — use
76-15-904. Coal bed methane protection account — use. (1) There is a coal bed methane protection account in the state special revenue fund.
Terms Used In Montana Code 76-15-904
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Department: means the department of natural resources and conservation as provided for in Title 2, chapter 15, part 33. See Montana Code 76-15-903
- Emergency: means the loss of a water supply that must be replaced immediately to avoid substantial damage to a landowner or a water right holder. See Montana Code 76-15-903
- State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See Montana Code 1-1-201
(2)All money paid into the account must be invested by the board of investments. Earnings from investments must be deposited in the account.
(3)Subject to the conditions of subsections (4) and (5), money deposited in the account must be used to compensate landowners and water right holders for damages attributable to coal bed methane development as provided in this part.
(4)Money deposited in the fund and earnings of the fund may not be expended until after June 30, 2005. For fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2005, principal and earnings may be expended only in the case of an emergency. For fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2011, principal and earnings in the account may be expended for any purpose authorized pursuant to this part.
(5)Subject to legislative fund transfers, money in the account must be appropriated to the department for use by conservation districts that have private landowners or water right holders who qualify for compensation as provided in 76-15-905.