17-7-226. Eligible use of funds. (1) The funds in the account established in 17-7-225 may be used to continue renovation, replacement, or construction of complex facilities based on findings from the 2022 Montana remote and office workspace study, including but not limited to capital improvements to:

(a) align modern workspace with a modern workforce;

(b) implement enterprise-wide opportunities for technology enhanced touch-down and hoteling stations;

(c) improve productivity;

(d) reduce agency programmatic and operational costs;

(e) provide flexible spaces for long-term efficiencies, performance, and cost reduction;

(f) improve workforce efficiencies, recruiting, and retention, including telework-friendly design;

(g) consolidate state-owned and leased properties into existing, replacement, or new spaces;

(h) renovation or construction costs, including relocation costs, for moving the legislative audit division provided for in 5-13-301 and non-legislative branch functions or agencies out of the capitol;

(i) colocation to take advantage of teleworking and mission-related adjacencies;

(j) centralize access to governmental services and improve citizen accessibility;

(k) provide security improvements to ensure safety and continuity of governmental operations; and

(l) increase disaster resiliency.

(2) Priority must be given to projects that have a high return on investment or that reduce deferred maintenance backlog through the renovation and renewal of existing spaces.

(3) Furniture, fixtures, and equipment associated with the implementation of this section may be paid from these funds.

(4) Operating, administrative, moving, and relocation costs associated with the implementation of this section may be paid from these funds.

(5) The department may propose transfers from the account established in 17-7-225 to the major repair long-range building program account or the capital developments long-range building program account for executive branch capital projects within the capitol complex.