Unclaimed property in the amount of $41,674.01 has been processed by the Municipal Court, as outlined in Montana's Code Annotated, Section 70-9-801 et. seq.  The unclaimed property law requires that all holders of property attempt to locate owners and if that fails, to report and transfer the unclaimed property to the Montana Dept. of Revenue.  The law allows courts to declare property as abandoned one year after the property could have been distributed to the proper owner.  Municipal Court Unclaimed Property includes restitution to victims, return of bond charges to assure Court appearances, and account overages. A complete listing of claims dated January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2012 is attached to this memo and is on file in the Municipal Court.
 

There are no viable alternatives to this action.  Montana law requires that unclaimed property be turned over to the Montana Department of Revenue.

This results in $41,674.01 of Unclaimed Property being turned over from the Billings Municipal Court to the Montana Unclaimed Property Program.
 

Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Municipal Court unclaimed property report and authorize transferring $41,674.01 of unclaimed property to the Montana Dept. of Revenue, as required by Montana Code Annotated 70-9-801 et. seq.