2005 Montana Code Annotated - 10-4-302 — Distribution of basic account by department.

     10-4-302. Distribution of basic account by department. (1) The department shall make quarterly distributions of the entire basic 9-1-1 account. The distributions must be made for the costs incurred during the preceding calendar quarter by each provider of telephone service in the state for:
     (a) collection of the fees imposed by 10-4-201;
     (b) modification of central office switching and trunking equipment for emergency telephone service only; and
     (c) conversion of pay station telephones required by 10-4-121.
     (2) Payments under subsection (1) may be made only after application by the provider to the department for costs incurred in subsection (1). The department shall review all applications relevant to subsection (1) for appropriateness of costs claimed by the provider. If the provider contests the review, payment may not be made until the amount owed the provider is made certain.
     (3) After all amounts under subsections (1) and (2) have been paid, the balance of the account must be allocated to cities and counties on a per capita basis. However, each county must be allocated a minimum of 1% of the balance of the counties' share of the account. A 9-1-1 jurisdiction whose 9-1-1 service area includes more than one city or county is eligible to receive operating funds from the allocation for each city or county involved. The department shall distribute to the accounting entity designated by a 9-1-1 jurisdiction with an approved final plan the proportional amount for each city or county served by the 9-1-1 jurisdiction. The department shall provide a report indicating the proportional share derived from the individual city's or county's allocation with each distribution to a 9-1-1 jurisdiction.
     (4) If the department through its monitoring process determines that a 9-1-1 jurisdiction is not adhering to an approved plan or is not using funds in the manner prescribed in 10-4-303, the department may, after notice and hearing, suspend payment to the 9-1-1 jurisdiction. The jurisdiction is not eligible to receive funds until the department determines that the jurisdiction is complying with the approved plan and fund usage limitations.
     (5) The department shall distribute any balance in the basic 9-1-1 account on July 1, 1998, on a per capita basis to those 9-1-1 jurisdictions that have approved final plans filed with the department as required by 10-4-112.

     History: En. Sec. 17, Ch. 635, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 153, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 422, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 448, L. 1997.