(1) On an annual basis, the tax proceeds that are transferred to the department's state special revenue account pursuant to 15-65-121 must be used as follows:
- (a) 43% for tourism media, advertising film programs, made-in-Montana promotions and main street programs, wayfinding and signage, and support to trade offices;
- (b) 22.5% for rural tourism, under-visited area attraction projects, and tribal tourism, including infrastructure, tourism-related emergency services, marketing, and promotional activities;
- (c) 23% for tourism grants, including agritourism grants and Montana-based film grants;
- (d) subject to subsection (5), 6.5% for revolving loan programs and regional tourism assistance; and
- (e) 5% to use in collaboration with the office of economic development established in 2-15-218 for new tourism attractions, other state business development programs, and support for the activities in subsections (1)(a) through (1)(d) of this section.
- (2) The department shall pay personal costs, operating costs, and any costs associated with a program or project provided for in subsections (1)(a) through (1)(e) at its discretion.
- (3) The department may redistribute the unencumbered funds in subsection (1)(a) to each applicable program at its discretion by December 31 of each year.
(4) The department may adopt rules to:
- (a) determine criteria for a rural area, an under-visited area, and qualifications for funds for attraction projects under subsection (1)(b); and
- (b) implement the tourism grant program, the regional tourism assistance program, and the revolving loan program under subsections (1)(c) and (1)(d) and charge a fee commensurate with the cost of the program.
- (5) If the tax proceeds designated for revolving loan programs and regional tourism assistance pursuant to subsection (1)(d) exceed $35 million, the tax proceeds that exceed $35 million must be redistributed for the purposes and in the proportions provided for in subsections (1)(a) through (1)(e).
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 699, L. 2023.