87-1-513. Disposition of proceeds of sale. (1) The money obtained upon the sale of seized property must be retained and accounted for by the department when the person having the property in possession at the time of seizure is prosecuted or when a prosecution of the person is pending. If the person charged with violating fish and game law is convicted or forfeits bond or bail, the money received for the sale of seized property must be paid to the state treasurer and be deposited to the credit of the fish and game fund except as provided in subsection (2). If the party from whom the property was taken is not found guilty, the money must be paid to the party from whom the game birds, wild animals, fish, or parts or portions thereof were taken. An officer is not liable for any damage caused by any search, examination, seizure, or sale. When wild animals, game birds, or fish are seized as provided in this part and the person or persons who killed or captured the wild animals, game birds, or fish cannot be ascertained or when the animals sold were killed pursuant to 87-1-225, then the money received from the sale of the wild animals, game birds, or fish must be paid directly to the state treasurer. The cost of advertising notice of sale, as required by 87-1-511, must be paid from the fish and game fund.

(2) The proceeds, after the department's cost of conducting the sale and costs incurred in donating game animal meat are deducted, from the sale of seized game animal meat must be deposited in the state special revenue fund to the credit of the department of public health and human services for the purposes of awarding grants to the Montana food bank network in this state. Money from the grants awarded to the Montana food bank network must be used for the processing of donated game animal meat. Any grant funds remaining after donated game animal meat is processed may be used for other appropriate purposes by the Montana food bank network.