90-1-105. Functions of department of commerce — economic development. The department of commerce shall:

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(1)provide coordinating services to aid state and local groups and Indian tribal governments in the promotion of new economic enterprises and conduct publicity and promotional activities within the state, nationally, and internationally in connection with new economic enterprises;

(2)collect and disseminate information regarding the advantages of developing agricultural, recreational, commercial, and industrial enterprises within this state;

(3)serve as an official state liaison between persons interested in locating new economic enterprises in Montana and state and local groups and Indian tribal governments seeking new enterprises;

(4)aid communities and Indian tribal governments interested in obtaining new business or expanding existing business;

(5)(a) study and promote means of expanding markets for Montana products within the state, nationally, and globally; and

(b)provide training and assistance for Montana small businesses and entrepreneurs to expand markets for made-in-Montana products;

(6)encourage and coordinate public and private agencies or bodies in publicizing the facilities and attractions of the state;

(7)in collaboration with the state-tribal economic development commission, tribal governments, and other partners, develop a system for the gathering of data allowing the department to quantify on an ongoing basis the economic contributions of the tribes in Montana The department may execute data sharing and use agreements with each tribal government. The department shall update the state-tribal relations committee on this effort and, beginning no later than December 1, 2024, and in a manner beneficial to tribal governments, policymakers, and the public, make aggregate data on the economic contributions of the tribes in Montana readily available on an ongoing basis. Disaggregated data provided by a tribal government pursuant to a data sharing and use agreement with the department and identified by the tribal government as confidential must be considered “confidential information” as defined in 2-6-1002(1)(d). The department may accept contributions and donations from individuals and organizations for the purposes of this subsection.

(8)explore the use of cooperative agreements, as provided in Title 18, chapter 11, part 1, for the promotion and enhancement of economic opportunities on the Indian reservations in Montana; and

(9)assist the state-tribal economic development commission established in 90-1-131 in:

(a)identifying federal government and private sector funding sources for economic development on Indian reservations in Montana; and

(b)fostering and providing assistance to prepare, develop, and implement cooperative agreements, in accordance with Title 18, chapter 11, part 1, with each of the tribal governments in Montana.