by Michael J. Marino
Bill No. LC018, sponsored by Brad Molnar (R-Laurel), proposes to pay a $50,000 reward to anyone “who furnishes information to a law enforcement officer leading to a conviction,” of various crimes like drug trafficking and human trafficking.
In its preamble, the bill states, “Montana recently settled several lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies involving opiate deaths, injuries, and damages; and… Montana received significant sums of money as part of the settlement of these lawsuits; and…
these funds should be spent on combating the problems caused by illegal drugs, drug
smuggling, and human trafficking in Montana…”