MT Legislative Audit Division

HR Audit Finds Culture, Compliance Issues at Montana FWP

The Montana Legislative Audit Division conducted a performance audit of the Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks covering fiscal years 2019-2023. The audit reviewed 60 hiring documents, 44 performance evaluations, and 51 discipline records. Key findings include that half of hiring documents lacked required statements explaining why the successful applicant was selected, and the department could not locate 33 percent of performance evaluations that should have been completed. The audit also identified ongoing workplace culture issues and low morale. Recent compliance has improved, with better adherence to hiring requirements in 2022-2023 compared to 2019-2021.

Montana DNRC Fire Assessment Program Audit

The Montana Legislative Audit Division issued a performance audit of the Fire Assessment Program administered by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Forestry-Trust Lands Division. The audit examined the administration of the wildfire protection assessment fee and found that the current per-owner fee structure does not reflect actual cost contributions, statutory framework is outdated, and wildfire protection districts need updating. The audit recommends the Legislature modernize the program's framework to improve economic efficiency and ensure landowner fees align with actual wildfire protection costs.

DLI's Management of Contracted Monitoring Services for Impaired Healthcare Practitioners

The Montana Legislative Audit Division issued Report 23P-02 assessing the Department of Labor & Industry's administration of the Montana Medical Assistance Program. The audit examined DLI's transition from a long-standing vendor following legal complaints and contract nonrenewal, finding that DLI struggled to retrieve complete program participant data. The audit recommends developing a transition management plan, completing an overdue statutorily required external audit, and ensuring quality assurance programming from the new vendor.