85-3-401. Definitions. As used in this part, the following definitions apply: (1) ”Authority” means a county weather modification authority established pursuant to 85-3-411 or 85-3-413 through 85-3-415. (2) ”Commissioner” means a county weather modification authority commissioner appointed pursuant to 85-3-411 or 85-3-413 through 85-3-415. History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 609, L. 1983.
85-3-402 through 85-3-410 reserved.
85-3-411. Weather modification authority created by petition — expiration — reinstatement. (1) Upon receipt of a valid petition signed by at least 51% of the qualified electors of a county, as determined by the vote cast for the office of governor at the preceding general election, a board of county commissioners may by resolution create a […]
85-3-412. Petition content. (1) The petition for the creation of a weather modification authority and for appointment of commissioners must contain: (a) a title with the heading “Petition for Creation of (insert name of county) Weather Modification Authority”; (b) the following paragraph: We, the undersigned qualified electors of (name of county), state of Montana, request that the (name […]
85-3-413. Creation of authority by election. When a petition signed by not less than 20% of the qualified electors of the county, as determined by the vote cast for the office of governor at the last preceding gubernatorial election, requesting an election upon the establishment of a weather modification authority is presented to the board of […]
85-3-414. Creation of authority by resolution. (1) When an authority is about to expire, the board of county commissioners may by resolution authorize the creation of such weather modification authority and all its powers, including the power to certify a tax levy as provided by 85-3-422, for an additional 5-year period if the resolution authorizing the […]
85-3-415. Creation of authority by vote after resolution of county commissioners. The board of county commissioners of any county may, by resolution after a public hearing, submit the question of the creation of a weather modification authority to the electors of the county at the next countywide election. Upon approval by a majority of the votes […]
85-3-416. Abolishment of authority by election. When a petition signed by not less than 20% of the qualified electors of the county, as determined by the vote cast for governor in the last preceding gubernatorial election, requesting an election upon the abolishment of an authority created pursuant to 85-3-413 or 85-3-414 is presented to the board […]
85-3-417. Procedure for abolishment of authority by recall petition — petition form — disposition of funds. (1) After 51% of the qualified electors of a county, as determined by the vote cast for the office of governor at the last preceding gubernatorial election, petition the board of county commissioners of their county to recall the commissioners […]
85-3-418 through 85-3-420 reserved.
85-3-421. Commissioners — compensation — meetings — officers — disbursements. (1) A commissioner may not receive compensation for the commissioner’s services. Certificates of appointment must be filed with the county clerk and recorder. (2) The powers of each authority are vested in its commissioners. A majority of the commissioners constitutes a quorum for the purpose of conducting […]
85-3-422. Tax certified by weather modification authority — disposition of proceeds. (1) The authority may certify annually to the board of county commissioners a tax on the taxable value of all taxable property in the county for a weather modification fund. Subject to 15-10-420, the tax may be levied by the board of county commissioners. The […]
85-3-423. County budget waived for first appropriation — conditions. If an emergency condition requiring prompt expenditure occurs immediately after an authority has been created by resolution of the board of county commissioners and after certification of a mill levy by the authority, the county commissioners may appropriate, from money not otherwise appropriated in the general fund, […]
85-3-424. Declaration of emergency — hearing — determination of need for weather modification operation. (1) After receiving a petition requesting an operation to increase precipitation, initiate precipitation, or suppress hail and bearing the signatures of at least 50 registered electors of the county, the commissioners of an authority shall, within 15 days after receiving the petition, […]
