15-24-2402. Definitions. Unless the context requires otherwise, in this part, the following definitions apply:
     (1) "Expansion" means that after December 31, 1991, the industry has added qualifying property within the jurisdiction either in the first tax year in which the taxable value decrease provided for in 15-24-2403 is to be received or in the preceding tax year. Expansion does not include property that:
     (a) has qualified for the tax exemption under 15-24-1402; or
     (b) will create an adverse impact on existing state, county, or municipal services.
     (2) "Industry" is a firm that engages in the mechanical or chemical transformation of materials or substances into new products in the manner defined as manufacturing in the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification Manual prepared by the United States office of management and budget and that engages in the:
     (a) processing of Montana raw materials, such as minerals, ore, oil, gas, coal, agricultural products, and forestry products; or
     (b) processing of semifinished products produced in Montana that are used by the industry as a raw material in further manufacturing.
     (3) "Qualifying employee" means a person:
     (a) whose job was created as a result of expansion; and
     (b) whose position pays not less than three-quarters of the amount of the average wage as determined by the quarterly statistical report published by the department of labor and industry.
     (4) "Qualifying property" means machinery and equipment that result in the hiring of qualifying employees used for the manufacture or processing of products described in subsection (2).

     History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 786, L. 1991.