10-1-1111. Legislative findings -- purpose. (1) The legislature finds that:

(a) Montana has a proud tradition of military service with thousands of Montanans having answered the call of the nation and having served in the national guard, reserve, and armed forces;

(b) there have been instances in which the dependents of members of the Montana national guard, reserve, and armed forces have been left without adequate financial resources when a service member has been killed while on active duty;

(c) members of the Montana national guard, reserve, and armed forces are now being asked to serve extended periods of active duty in support of contingency operations;

(d) members of the Montana national guard, reserve, and armed forces are eligible for life insurance policies with limits of up to $400,000 through the federal service members' group life insurance program; and

(e) members of the Montana national guard, reserve, and armed forces provide Montana and its citizens with valuable benefits through the members' service inside this state and through the members' recently extended periods of active duty in combat areas outside of Montana, and in exchange for these extended periods of active duty they should receive assistance with the premiums that members pay for the federal service members' group life insurance program.

(2) The purpose of creating and funding the account established in 10-1-1113 is to provide a benefit to members of the Montana national guard, reserve, and armed forces in exchange for and in recognition of the members' assumption of extended periods of active duty in a contingency operation, in addition to the members' increased contributions to the safety and welfare of the citizens of Montana.