MT SB537

Revises marijuana tax revenue distribution by allocating fixed percentages: 20% to habitat legacy account, 4% each to state parks and trails/recreational facilities, 4% to nongame wildlife, 0.5% to veterans, 1.5% to Department of Justice for drug detection canines and criminal investigation, 1.5% for sexual assault forensic examinations, 0.25% for crisis intervention team training, 14% to behavioral health fund, 31% for law enforcement grants, 0.75% for cannabis compliance, and 6.5% for drug/alcohol prevention

Increases HEART (Healing and Ending Addiction Through Recovery and Treatment) account funding from $6 million cap to $7 million or 12% of excess funds, whichever is greater, and adds case management services for homeless shelters as an eligible use with up to $2 million in grants for behavioral health services in homeless shelters

Creates four new state special revenue accounts: Habitat Legacy Account, Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodation Account, Land and Wildlife Stewardship Account, and Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project Account

Appropriates $10 million total for FY 2025-2027 biennium: $7.5 million to Land and Wildlife Stewardship Account, $2 million to Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project Account, and $500,000 to Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings Account

Expands wildlife habitat improvement project eligibility to include terrestrial and aquatic habitat conservation, water enhancement projects, drought resilience, disease transmission mitigation between wildlife and livestock, and funding for tribal wildlife programs