Legislative Policy

It is the policy of the state of Montana to indemnify its citizens for the loss of long-term value resulting from the depletion of its mineral resource base and for environmental damage caused by mineral development. This policy of indemnification is achieved by establishing a permanent resource indemnity trust, as required by Article IX, section 2, of the Montana constitution, by supporting ground water assessment programs from the proceeds of a tax levied on mineral extraction, and by allocating spendable revenues: (1) to protect and restore the environment from damages resulting from mineral development; (2) to support a variety of development programs that benefit the economy of the state and the lives of Montana citizens; and (3) to assess the state's ground water resources.