2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 17. State Finance › Chapter 2. Accounting › Part 3. State and Local Charges for Services -- Limit on Fund Balance › 17-2-302. Limitation on balance in state or local charge for services fund -- exceptions -- audits

17-2-302. Limitation on balance in state or local charge for services fund -- exceptions -- audits.
(1) Except as provided in this section, a state agency that deposits money into a state charge for services fund or a local government entity that deposits money into a local charge for services fund may not maintain a cash balance in the fund greater than twice the annual appropriation for that year or greater than the biennial appropriation from the account for the biennium, which includes that year from the state fund or local fund as shown in the state agency's or local government entity's initial operating plan.
(2) A state agency may maintain more money in a state fund or a local government entity may maintain more money in a local fund than is allowed by subsection (1) if the approving authority for the state agency certifies to the legislative finance committee, established by 5-12-201, or the manager of the service or function of the local government entity using money in a local fund certifies to the governing body of that entity:
(a) the date on which the state fund or local fund balance exceeded the limitation provided in subsection (1);
(b) the amount of money by which the state fund or local fund balance exceeded the limitation provided in subsection (1);
(c) the amount of money usually needed in the state fund or local fund for the operation of the service or function of the state agency or local government entity for 1 year, along with supporting facts;
(d) whether the amount of money within the state fund or local fund that is in excess of the limitation provided in subsection (1) is necessary for the operation of the service or function of the state agency or local government entity because of:
(i) an emergency;
(ii) a special or unusual circumstance; or
(iii) a fluctuation in the service, function, or charges for services of the agency or entity; and
(e) the facts and circumstances demonstrating the emergency, unusual circumstance, or fluctuation claimed in subsection (2)(d).
(3) The legislative audit division shall include in financial audits performed by or at the direction of the legislative audit division and an independent auditor shall include in an audit performed by the independent auditor pursuant to Title 2, chapter 7, part 5, a determination of whether money is or has been retained in a state charge for services fund or in a local charge for services fund contrary to the requirements of:
(a) this section; or
(b) 17-2-303.
(4) Except as otherwise provided in 17-2-301(3)(b), this section does not apply to:
(a) a charge for services made by one state agency to another state agency or by one local government entity to another local government entity;
(b) a state charge for services fund or a local charge for services fund used only for replacement of buildings or to pay the costs of other future capital projects;
(c) a fee, charge, tax, levy, or other assessment the amount of which is established by statute;
(d) fees, charges, and payments established pursuant to the revolving fund programs created by and administered pursuant to Title 75, chapter 5, part 11, and Title 75, chapter 6, part 2; or
(e) charges for services deposited in accordance with law into:
(i) a debt service or bond reserve fund;
(ii) the state general fund;
(iii) a county general fund; or
(iv) a city, town, or consolidated government general fund.
History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 270, L. 1997.