30-10-107. Administration. - Montana Statutes

     30-10-107. Administration. (1) The administration of the provisions of parts 1 through 3 of this chapter must be under the general supervision and control of the state auditor, the ex officio securities commissioner. The commissioner may, from time to time, make, amend, and rescind rules and forms as necessary to carry out the provisions of parts 1 through 3 of this chapter. A rule or form may not be adopted unless the commissioner finds that the action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors and consistent with the purposes of the policy and provisions of parts 1 through 3 of this chapter. In prescribing rules and forms, the commissioner may cooperate with the securities administrators of the other states and the securities and exchange commission with a view to effectuating the policy of parts 1 through 3 of this chapter to achieve maximum uniformity in the form and content of registration statements, applications, and reports whenever practicable.
     (2) It is unlawful for the commissioner or any of the commissioner's officers or employees to use for personal benefit any information filed with or obtained by the commissioner and not made public. The provisions of parts 1 through 3 of this chapter do not authorize the commissioner or any of the commissioner's officers or employees to disclose any information or the fact that an investigation is being made, except among themselves or when necessary or appropriate in a proceeding or investigation under parts 1 through 3 of this chapter.
     (3) The provisions of parts 1 through 3 of this chapter imposing liability do not apply to an act done or omitted in good faith in conformity with a rule, form, or order of the commissioner, even though the rule or form may later be amended or rescinded or be determined by judicial or other authority to be invalid for any reason.
     (4) Every hearing in an administrative proceeding must be public.
     (5) A document is filed when it is received by the commissioner. The commissioner shall keep a register of all applications for registration and registration statements that are or have ever been effective under parts 1 through 3 of this chapter and all denial, suspension, or revocation orders that have ever been entered under parts 1 through 3 of this chapter. The register must be open for public inspection. The information contained in or filed with any registration statement, application, or report may be made available to the public under rules the commissioner prescribes.
     (6) Upon request and at a charge of 50 cents for each page, the commissioner shall furnish to any person photostatic or other copies, certified if requested, of any entry in the register or any document that is a matter of public record. In a proceeding or prosecution under parts 1 through 3 of this chapter, a certified copy is prima facie evidence of the contents of the entry or document certified.
     (7) To serve the purposes of 30-10-102, the commissioner may cooperate with the securities and exchange commission, the commodity futures trading commission, the securities investor protection corporation, the securities registration depository, any national securities exchange or national securities association registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, any national or international organization of securities officials or agencies, and any governmental agency, corporation, or body.
     (8) Except as specifically provided in this title, an order or notice may be given to a person by personal delivery or by mail addressed to that person at the person's last-recorded principal place of business on file at the commissioner's office. An order or notice that is mailed is considered to have been given at the time it is mailed.

     History: En. Sec. 24, Ch. 251, L. 1961; amd. Sec. 71, Ch. 147, L. 1963; R.C.M. 1947, 15-2024(1), (3) thru (7); amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 351, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 322, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 533, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 416, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 472, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 156, L. 2003.