Today is the 22th Legislative Day of the 90 day session, and it was a busy week for the tourism industry. The deadline for individual legislators requesting both general bills and revenue bills has passed. To date 2189 bill drafts have been requested. So far 614 bills have been introduced which is 28.049% of the total requested. The general consensus has been that bill drafts are being completed and introduced at a slower pace than usual.
LC 1694 (Lake): Eliminate certain individual and corporation tax credits. As currently drafted this 32 page bill would eliminate a bunch of tax credits including the “Big Sky on the Big Screen Act” film incentive beginning January 1, 2012. This tax incentive is very important to our film and commercial productions as it is always one of the first questions asked by out of state companies; it is a marketing tool that allows a dialogue with these companies to begin.
HB 316 (Cook): Redistribute certain revenue and income to state general fund. On page 13, in section 9 of this 38-page, the bill reduces the allocation of all recipients of the 4% lodging facility use tax by 10% with that money being diverted to the general fund. This would be a permanent change to the funding flow. The bill was introduced and referred to the House Appropriations Committee. No hearing has been scheduled yet.
HB 317 (Cook): Sunset statutory appropriations over certain periods. Section 20 of this 76-page bill refers to the statutory appropriation of the distribution of the 4% lodging facility use tax. Section 47 refers to the Montana heritage preservation and development account. Section 81 refers to the Department of Commerce and Historical Society Lewis and Clark Bicentennial accounts. These statutory appropriations along with others would sunset over the next 8 years unless specifically reauthorized by the legislature. The statutory appropriation for the 4% lodging facility use tax is among the first to sunset on June 30, 2013. The bill was heard in the House Appropriations Committee on January 26. There was 1 proponent and 25 opponents to the bill. No action has been taken yet.
HB 2 (McNutt): General Appropriations Act. The House Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government approved the authority for the Montana Office of Tourism to take in private funds and continued funding for the Main Street Program. The Department of Commerce did not receive the full amount requested for Primary Business Sector Training, Indian Country Economic Development and Energy Promotion and Development, but the committee offered to keep the door open for further discussion on these matters.
HB 111 (Stahl): Improving tax administration by depositing state agency lodging tax in gen fund. This bill passed out of the House on a 98-1 vote and has been transmitted to the Senate.
HB 225 (Welborn) Clarify environmental review requirements for snowmobile trail programs. This bill passed out of the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee as amended on a 20-0 vote. It is scheduled for second reading in the House today.
SB 3 (Hawks) Require state agencies to report on heritage properties. The bill passed as amended out of the Senate Education and Cultural Resources Committee on a 10-0 vote. The amendments deal mostly with the specific time identified when the report has to be completed.
SB 118 (Jent) Revise laws on leasing of outfitter/guide equipment to include contracting. This bill allows an outfitter or guide to contract for equipment that is mandated for licensing requirements. The bill passed the Senate 50-0 and was transmitted to the House.
The chart below is for introduced bills that may have direct impact on the accommodation tax or issues important to the tourism and film industry.
When looking at the status of a bill on this chart, here are some helpful hints:
Referred to committee means the bill has been assigned to the committee, but the hearing date has not been set.
Hearing means a hearing is scheduled.
* after status indicates the bill is probably dead
Total number of Introduced Bills - 27
Total number of Introduced and Unintroduced Bills - 105
Bill Type - Number
LC Number
Primary Sponsor
Status
Status Date
Short Title
HB 2
LC0119
Walter McNutt
(H) Hearing -- (H) Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on Education
01/31/2011; 9:00 AM, Rm 472
General Appropriations Act
HB 5
LC0122
Jon C Sesso
(H) Hearing -- (H) Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on Long-Range Planning
01/26/2011; 8:00 AM, Rm 317B
Long-range building appropriations
HB 9
LC0126
Galen Hollenbaugh
(H) Hearing -- (H) Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on Long-Range Planning
01/20/2011; 8:00 AM, Rm 317B
Cultural and aesthetic grants
HB 98
LC0419
Jeffery W Welborn
(H) Transmitted to Senate
01/18/2011
Direct proceeds from sale of state parks; deposit in state parks spec. rev. fund
HB 111
LC0230
Wayne Stahl
(H) Transmitted to Senate
01/26/2011
Improving tax administration by depositing state agency lodging tax in gen fund
HB 193
LC1774
Ron Ehli
(H) Hearing -- (H) Appropriations
01/13/2011; 2:00 PM, Rm 102
Provide funding for Daly mansion
HB 196
LC0662
Pat Connell
(H) Hearing -- (H) Natural Resources
01/19/2011; 3:00 PM, Rm 472
Provide that Dept. of Commerce assist local gov't with fed land management props
HB 225
LC0179
Jeffery W Welborn
(H) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
01/28/2011
Clarify environmental review requirements for snowmobile trail programs
HB 258
LC1919
Champ Edmunds
(H) Committee Report--Bill Passed as Amended -- (H) Business and Labor
Redistribute certain revenue and income to state general fund
HB 317
LC0970
Rob Cook
(H) Hearing -- (H) Appropriations
01/26/2011; 2:00 PM, Rm 102
Sunset statutory appropriations over certain periods
HJ 1
LC0414
Mike Milburn
(H) Transmitted to Senate
01/18/2011
Resolution urging federal legislation removing wolf from Endangered Species list
HJ 2
LC0205
Roy Hollandsworth
(H) Referred to Committee -- (H) Taxation
12/20/2010
Revenue estimating resolution
HJ 4
LC0561
Ken Peterson
(H) Committee Report--Bill Passed -- (H) Federal Relations, Energy, and Telecommunications
01/27/2011
Resolution opposing designation of national monuments without state's consent
SB 3
LC0245
Bob Hawks
(S) Committee Report--Bill Passed as Amended -- (S) Education and Cultural Resources
01/27/2011
Require state agencies to report on heritage properties
SB 13
LC0448
John Brenden
(S) Hearing -- (S) Finance and Claims
01/13/2011; 5:00 PM, Rm 317A
Revise fee for state parks on light vehicle registration to require opt-in
SB 43
LC0417
Jim Keane
(S) Hearing -- (S) Fish and Game
01/11/2011; 3:00 PM, Rm 422
Revise the primitive parks act
SB 107
LC1188
Kendall Van Dyk
(S) Hearing -- (S) Fish and Game
01/20/2011; 3:00 PM, Rm 422
Allow park rangers to carry firearms
SB 118
LC0767
Larry Jent
(S) Transmitted to House
01/25/2011
Revise laws on leasing of outfitter/guide equipment to include contracting
SB 131
LC0058
Cliff Larsen
(S) Bill Not Heard at Sponsor's Request -- (S) Taxation
01/18/2011
Allow business improvement district to make an assessment on a percentage basis
SB 144
LC0176
John Brenden
(S) Hearing -- (S) Fish and Game
01/20/2011; 3:00 PM, Rm 422
Revise laws governing translocation of bison; prohibit free-roaming bison
SB 174
LC2008
Gene Vuckovich
(S) Hearing -- (S) Fish and Game
02/01/2011; 3:00 PM, Rm 422
Prohibit state funds for movement or relocation of bison to Spotted Dog WMA
SB 179
LC1702
Art Wittich
(S) Hearing -- (S) Highways and Transportation
02/01/2011; 3:00 PM, Rm 405
Memorialize trooper David Delaittre
SB 181
LC0945
Kendall Van Dyk
(S) Hearing -- (S) State Administration
01/28/2011; 3:00 PM, Rm 335
Eliminate and revise statutes related to MDOT boards and councils
SB 213
LC2083
Gene Vuckovich
(S) Hearing -- (S) Highways and Transportation
02/01/2011; 3:00 PM, Rm 405
Designate Montana Highway 1 Pintlar Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway
SJ 6
LC0589
Alan Olson
(S) Committee Report--Bill Passed as Amended -- (S) Natural Resources
01/27/2011
Resolution regarding federal land use policy
Unintroduced Bills
* after status indicates the bill is probably dead
Total number of Unintroduced Bills - 78
Bill Draft No. (LC No.)
Request Date
Requestor
Status
Status Date
Short Title
LC0012
08/13/2009
Greg Hinkle
(C) Draft in Legal Review
01/28/2011
Amend constitution for Montana sportsman's heritage amendment
LC0175
07/12/2010
John Brenden
(C) Draft On Hold
12/09/2010
Provide for reversion of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks funds to general fund
LC0223
08/05/2010
Jim Keane
(C) Draft On Hold
10/05/2010
Generally revise laws related to economic development
LC0473
10/13/2010
Lynda Moss
(C) Draft On Hold
11/08/2010
Resolution promoting children and nature
LC0475
10/13/2010
Lynda Moss
(C) Draft On Hold
11/11/2010
Develop preservation and interpretation strategies for historic sites in SE Mont
LC0504
10/15/2010
Llew Jones
(C) Draft Taken Off Hold
12/11/2010
Generally revise statutory appropriations
LC0505
10/15/2010
Llew Jones
(C) Draft On Hold
10/15/2010
Generally revise statutory appropriations
LC0506
10/15/2010
Llew Jones
(C) Draft On Hold
10/15/2010
Generally revise statutory appropriations
LC0525
10/19/2010
Roy Hollandsworth
(C) Draft Ready for Delivery
01/27/2011
Reduce certain general fund transfers
LC0526
10/19/2010
Roy Hollandsworth
(C) Draft On Hold
10/19/2010
Transfer certain state special revenue fund balances to general fund
LC0532
10/20/2010
Roy Hollandsworth
(C) Draft On Hold
10/20/2010
Provide for certain fund transfers
LC0539
10/20/2010
Roy Hollandsworth
(C) Draft On Hold
10/20/2010
Generally revise appropriation laws
LC0544
10/22/2010
John Brueggeman
(C) Draft On Hold
11/30/2010
Revise vacancy and election process within resort area districts
LC0659
11/09/2010
Bill Harris
(C) Draft in Assembly/Executive Director Review
01/27/2011
Reinstate outfitter-sponsored hunting licenses
LC0660
11/09/2010
Bill Harris
(C) Draft in Assembly/Executive Director Review
01/27/2011
Establish net client hunting use as outfitter property
LC0685
11/11/2010
Tom McGillvray
(C) Draft Ready for Delivery
01/03/2011
Revise laws governing transportation permitting
LC0811
11/18/2010
Wayne Stahl
(C) Draft On Hold
11/22/2010
Revise recreational statutes
LC0862
11/19/2010
Llew Jones
(C) Draft On Hold
12/29/2010
Revise allocations of revenue
LC0864
11/19/2010
Llew Jones
(C) Draft On Hold
12/29/2010
Revise statutory appropriations
LC1223
12/03/2010
Wayne Stahl
(C) Draft On Hold
12/03/2010
Generally revise taxation
LC1224
12/03/2010
Wayne Stahl
(C) Draft On Hold
12/03/2010
Generally revise taxation
LC1230
12/04/2010
Wayne Stahl
(C) Draft On Hold
12/04/2010
Generally revise taxation
LC1297
12/05/2010
Margaret (Margie) MacDonald
(C) Draft On Hold
12/05/2010
Generally revise tax laws
LC1302
12/05/2010
Chuck Hunter
(C) Draft On Hold
01/11/2011
Revise vacancy and election process within resort area districts
LC1304
12/05/2010
Ryan Zinke
(C) Draft On Hold
12/09/2010
Revise public recreation and events limits of liability
LC1331
12/05/2010
Rick Ripley
(C) Draft On Hold
01/09/2011
Create a land banking program including no net gain within FWP
LC1352
12/05/2010
Jim Keane
(C) Draft Request Received
12/05/2010
Generally revise tax increment financing districts
LC1381
12/05/2010
Jeff Essmann
(C) Draft On Hold
12/05/2010
Generally revise taxes
LC1396
12/05/2010
Jeff Essmann
(C) Draft On Hold
12/05/2010
Generally revise fish, wildlife, and parks
LC1397
12/05/2010
Jeff Essmann
(C) Draft On Hold
12/05/2010
Generally revise hunting and fishing laws
LC1398
12/05/2010
Jeff Essmann
(C) Draft On Hold
12/05/2010
Generally revise recreation laws
LC1399
12/05/2010
Jeff Essmann
(C) Draft On Hold
12/08/2010
Generally revise land access
LC1457
12/05/2010
Mary Caferro
(C) Draft On Hold
01/22/2011
Generally revise tax code
LC1458
12/05/2010
Mary Caferro
(C) Draft On Hold
01/22/2011
Generally revise tax code
LC1466
12/05/2010
Dan Skattum
(C) Draft Request Received
12/05/2010
Generally revise tax law
LC1468
12/05/2010
Dan Skattum
(C) Draft On Hold
12/10/2010
Generally revise tax law
LC1547
12/05/2010
Betsy Hands
(C) Draft Ready for Delivery
01/19/2011
refunds for skier if ski lifts inoperable for 1 hour or more
LC1559
12/05/2010
Mike Menahan
(C) Draft Request Received
12/05/2010
Create bond program to build Montana Historical Society museum
LC1574
12/05/2010
Mark Blasdel
(C) Draft On Hold
12/14/2010
Generally revise tax laws
LC1575
12/05/2010
Mark Blasdel
(C) Draft On Hold
12/05/2010
Generally revise tax laws
LC1581
12/05/2010
Mark Blasdel
(C) Draft On Hold
12/23/2010
Generally revise gross receipt tax
LC1582
12/05/2010
Mark Blasdel
(C) Draft On Hold
12/05/2010
Generally revise tax laws
LC1588
12/05/2010
Michele Reinhart
(C) Draft Request Received
12/05/2010
Generally revise tax laws
LC1589
12/05/2010
Michele Reinhart
(C) Draft Request Received
12/05/2010
Generally revise tax laws
LC1597
12/05/2010
Michele Reinhart
(C) Draft On Hold
12/23/2010
Revise laws to increase passenger rail
LC1598
12/05/2010
Michele Reinhart
(C) Draft On Hold
12/20/2010
Study resolution on increasing passenger rail in Montana
LC1615
12/05/2010
Michele Reinhart
(C) Draft Request Received
12/05/2010
Generally revise tax laws
LC1694
12/05/2010
Bob Lake
(C) Draft Ready for Delivery
01/27/2011
Eliminate certain individual and corporation tax credits
LC1709
12/08/2010
Duane Ankney
(C) Draft On Hold
12/08/2010
Generally revise taxation
LC1714
12/08/2010
Douglas (Doug) Kary
(C) Draft Request Received
12/08/2010
Revise tax laws
LC1720
12/08/2010
Sue Malek
(C) Draft On Hold
01/13/2011
Generally revise tax laws
LC1721
12/08/2010
Sue Malek
(C) Draft On Hold
01/13/2011
Generally revise tax laws
LC1722
12/08/2010
Chas Vincent
(C) Draft On Hold
12/08/2010
Generally revise laws related to state boards and commissions
LC1784
12/16/2010
Kelly Flynn
(C) Draft On Hold
01/18/2011
Establishing stewardship access program
LC1821
12/23/2010
Jim Peterson
(C) Draft Request Received
12/23/2010
Generally revise taxes
LC1833
12/27/2010
Carolyn Squires
(C) Draft Delivered to Requester
01/27/2011
Increase motor vehicle fee for state parks and Virginia & Nevada Cities
LC1862
12/29/2010
John Esp
(C) Draft Request Received
12/29/2010
Generally revise stream access law
LC1883
12/31/2010
Bruce Tutvedt
(C) Draft Request Received
12/31/2010
Generally revise tax laws
LC1885
12/31/2010
Kelly Flynn
(C) Draft On Hold
12/31/2010
Revise laws related to nonresident hunting licenses
LC1886
12/31/2010
Jeffery W Welborn
(C) Draft On Hold
12/31/2010
Generally revise laws related to outfitting
LC1887
12/31/2010
Jeffery W Welborn
(C) Draft On Hold
12/31/2010
Generally revise laws related to outfitting
LC1907
12/31/2010
Donald J Steinbeisser
(C) Draft On Hold
01/15/2011
Generally revise fish, wildlife, and parks laws
LC1927
01/03/2011
John Brenden
(C) Draft On Hold
01/03/2011
Revise laws relating to fish, wildlife, and parks
LC1945
01/03/2011
Ryan Osmundson
(C) Draft On Hold
01/04/2011
Provide interstate compact on national monuments & wilderness govt coordination
LC1949
01/03/2011
Art Wittich
(C) Draft Request Received
01/03/2011
Generally revise tax laws
LC1951
01/03/2011
Jim Peterson
(C) Draft On Hold
01/09/2011
Generally revise wildlife management
LC1953
01/03/2011
Joe Balyeat
(C) Draft Request Received
01/03/2011
Revise tax laws
LC1974
01/03/2011
John Brenden
(C) Draft On Hold
01/03/2011
Revise fish, wildlife, and parks laws
LC1975
01/03/2011
Mark Blasdel
(C) Draft On Hold
01/03/2011
Generally revise tax laws
LC1978
01/03/2011
Mark Blasdel
(C) Draft On Hold
01/03/2011
Generally revise tax laws
LC2039
01/11/2011
Anders Blewett
(C) Draft Request Received
01/11/2011
Revise credit for preservation of historic buildings
LC2079
01/14/2011
Diane Sands
(C) Draft Request Received
01/14/2011
Resolution urging Congress, President, and TSA to reconsider search procedures
LC2086
01/14/2011
Rick Ripley
(C) Draft Request Received
01/14/2011
Moratorium on land purchases by dept. of fish, wildlife, and parks
LC2117
01/17/2011
Roy Hollandsworth
(C) Draft Request Received
01/17/2011
Revise lodging facility use tax
LC2131
01/17/2011
Taylor Brown
(C) Draft Request Received
01/17/2011
Revise designation for Montana cowboy hall of fame
LC2137
01/17/2011
Cliff Larsen
(C) Draft On Hold
01/17/2011
Generally revise fish, wildlife, and parks laws
LC2147
01/17/2011
John Brenden
(C) Draft Request Received
01/17/2011
Revise laws regarding certain officials and public service announcements
LC2152
01/17/2011
Frank Smith
(C) Draft Request Received
01/17/2011
Revise laws regarding cowboy hall of fame
Remember, the legislature has a system for contacting representatives by e-mail http://leg.mt.gov/css/sessions/62nd/legwebmessage.asp or you may leave messages for legislators using the Session Information Desk at 406-444-4800. Messages will be delivered to the lawmakers.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Until next week…
Anna Marie Moe
Acting Division Administrator
Montana Promotion Division amoe@mt.gov
MONTANA PROMOTION DIVISION
PO Box 200533 •
Helena MT 59620-0501
406.841.2870 • 406.841.2871 (fax)
