Montana would fund community responses to missing and murdered Indigenous people

Montana’s Department of Justice would award competitive grants for community responses to missing and murdered Indigenous people. Tribal governments, tribal police, tribal organizations, and community groups serving Indigenous communities could compete. Awards would favor tribal leadership, rural or resource-limited communities, and coordination with tribal or local police. The department would consult the advisory council on missing and murdered Indigenous people and report annually on the grants. The program provisions would take effect July 1, 2027, if the bill becomes law.

Montana would set aside $50,000 a year for the grant program for two fiscal years. The Department of Justice would receive the money from the state’s general fund and any remaining money in the Looping in Native Communities account. The department could use no more than 10% of the total amount set aside from the general fund for administration. Money left at each fiscal year’s end that has not been committed would return to the state’s general fund. The account transfer would take effect on passage and approval and must occur by June 30, 2027. Annual funding would cover the two-year period beginning July 1, 2027.