1. (1) There is an account in the state special revenue fund to be known as the statewide 9-1-1 planning account.

2. (2) There must be deposited in the account:

   1. (a) money received from legislative allocations;
   2. (b) a transfer of money by the department in accordance with 10-4-307(1)(c) for use in accordance with subsections (3) through (5) of this section; and
   3. (c) any gift, donation, grant, legacy, bequest, or devise made for the purposes of subsections (3) through (5).
3. (3) The account may be used only by the department to award a contract in accordance with 18-1-102 and after consulting with the 9-1-1 advisory council created in 10-4-105 to develop a statewide 9-1-1 plan.

4. (4) A statewide 9-1-1 plan must include proposed:

   1. (a) priorities for 9-1-1 systems in Montana and plans for next-generation 9-1-1 technology deployment;
   2. (b) potential formulas and methods to distribute 9-1-1 money;
   3. (c) uniform standards relating to technology, next- generation 9-1-1 technology, and administration and operation of 9-1-1 systems in Montana;
   4. (d) steps to promote collaboration among local governments and greater incentives for cooperation among local governments and public safety answering points to improve efficiency by developing interconnectivity of 9-1-1 systems through partnerships for enhancement, operation, and maintenance of the network;
   5. (e) eligible uses for money received by local governments in accordance with this chapter;
   6. (f) audits or other steps necessary to ensure program compliance from entities receiving disbursements in accordance with this chapter;
   7. (g) necessary plans to include, to the maximum extent feasible, the use of existing commercial communications infrastructure; and
   8. (h) additional changes needed to this chapter to migrate legacy 9-1-1 systems and to accommodate evolving, future 9-1-1 technologies.
5. (5) Before September 1, 2018, the 9-1-1 advisory council shall review the proposals and make its recommendations to the department on implementing the recommendations.
6. (6) At the end of fiscal year 2019, any unexpended balance in the account must be transferred to the account established by the department in accordance with 10-4-304(2)(b). (Terminates October 1, 2019--sec. 32, Ch. 367, L. 2017.)

History: En. Sec. 13, Ch. 367, L. 2017.