All is quiet on the front. Legislators are currently on their much deserved transmittal break and will return to Helena on Tuesday, March 1. This break is a great time to thank and show your appreciation to your local legislators. It is also a time when they are eager to hear the opinions of their local constituents.
We’ve now reached the half way point. The real work begins in the second half of the session as legislators focus and finalize the state budget. Two key funding bills, HB 316 and HB 317 contain language impacting the state tourism program, and they are both still very much alive and in play.
Any general bills that did not transfer to the second house by Thursday, February 24, are now considered dead. Appropriations bills still have until the 67th day which is March 25 to transfer to the other house, and revenue bills still have until the 71st day, which is currently scheduled for March 30.
Of the 2,199 bill drafts that were requested, 1,028 have been introduced (46.749%); 694 are still active and 10 have passed both houses.
HB 528 (Smith): Revise laws regarding cowboy hall of fame. In current statute the cowboy hall of fame is supposed to be in located in Wolf Point. According to the testimony on the bill in the House State Administration Committee, it sounds like the organization that this raising funds for the cowboy hall of fame would be soliciting RFPs for a location. The bill was transmitted to the Senate.
SB 291 (Zinke): Disclosure of state publications and media expenses. The bill was amended in the State Administration Committee. As currently written, the only advertising that is affected includes advertising where an elected, or appointed officer or agency director appears or speaks; thus it would have minimal impact to the advertising done by the Montana Office of Tourism. The bill was transmitted to the House.
Legislative Activity next week:
HB 2 (McNutt): General Appropriates Act. The House Appropriations Committee will be taking up the recommendations of all the Joint HB 2 Subcommittees next week. This is the large funding bill for state government.
HB 316 (Cook):A bill to redistribute certain revenue and income to state general fund- including 10% of the lodging tax. Executive Action in the Joint Appropriation Subcommittee on Long Range Planning is scheduled on March 2nd. The bill will then be referred to the full House Appropriation Committee for their consideration.
SB 253 (Lake): Eliminate certain individual and corporation tax credits. 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. This bill was heard by the Senate Taxation Committee, but no final action has been taken.
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 - 43
Total number of Introduced and Unintroduced Bills - 106
Bill Type - Number
LC Number
Primary Sponsor
Status
Status Date
Short Title
HB 2
LC0119
Walter McNutt
(H) Hearing -- (H) Appropriations
03/07/2011; 8:00 AM, Rm 102
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
(S) Hearing -- (S) Fish and Game
03/03/2011; 4:00 PM, Rm 422
Direct proceeds from sale of state parks; deposit in state parks spec. rev. fund
HB 111
LC0230
Wayne Stahl
(S) Hearing -- (S) Taxation
02/09/2011; 8:00 AM, Rm 405
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) Appropriations
02/08/2011; 3:00 PM, Rm 102
Provide that Dept. of Commerce assist local gov't with fed land management props
HB 225
LC0179
Jeffery W Welborn
(S) Referred to Committee -- (S) Fish and Game
02/05/2011
Clarify environmental review requirements for snowmobile trail programs
HB 258
LC1919
Champ Edmunds
(S) Hearing -- (S) Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs
03/16/2011; 9:00 AM, Rm 422
Revise definition of guest ranch
HB 270
LC0835
Steve Lavin
(S) Referred to Committee -- (S) Highways and Transportation
02/08/2011
Provide for Trooper Haynes memorial highway
HB 316
LC0527
Rob Cook
(H) Hearing -- (H) Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on Long-Range Planning
02/08/2011; 8:00 AM, Rm 317B
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
HB 370
LC1833
Carolyn Squires
(H) Committee Report--Bill Passed as Amended -- (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks
02/18/2011
Increase motor vehicle fee for state parks and Virginia & Nevada Cities
HB 375
LC0525
Rob Cook
(H) Hearing -- (H) Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on Long-Range Planning
02/08/2011; 8:00 AM, Rm 317B
Reduce certain general fund transfers
HB 413
LC0660
Bill Harris
(H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal*
02/24/2011
Establish net client hunting use as outfitter property
HB 458
LC1886
Jeffery W Welborn
(H) Hearing -- (H) Business and Labor
03/04/2011; 9:00 AM, Rm 172
Revise laws related to outfitting and net client hunter use
HB 477
LC2117
Roy Hollandsworth
(H) Referred to Committee -- (H) Appropriations
02/10/2011
Revise lodging facility use tax allocation to Montana historical society
HB 528
LC2152
Frank Smith
(H) Transmitted to Senate
02/23/2011
Revise laws regarding cowboy hall of fame
HB 537
LC0659
Bill Harris
(H) Referred to Committee -- (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks
02/14/2011
Reinstate outfitter-sponsored hunting licenses
HB 559
LC2187
John Esp
(H) Transmitted to Senate
02/23/2011
Generally revise health laws for seasonal establishments
HB 570
LC0811
Wayne Stahl
(H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal*
02/24/2011
Revise recreational statutes and define valuable consideration
HB 577
LC1223
Wayne Stahl
(H) Referred to Committee -- (H) Taxation
02/16/2011
Revise taxes by removing tip income for unemployment and work comp purposes
HJ 1
LC0414
Mike Milburn
(S) Hearing -- (S) Fish and Game
03/03/2011; 3:00 PM, Rm 422
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
(S) Committee Report--Bill Concurred -- (S) Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation
02/16/2011
Resolution opposing designation of national monuments without state's consent
HJ 15
LC1597
Michele Reinhart
(H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal*
02/24/2011
Resolution to increase passenger rail
SB 3
LC0245
Bob Hawks
(H) Referred to Committee -- (H) State Administration
02/24/2011
Require state agencies to report on heritage properties
SB 13
LC0448
John Brenden
(S) Rereferred to Committee -- (S) Finance and Claims
02/18/2011
Revise fee for state parks on light vehicle registration to require opt-in
SB 43
LC0417
Jim Keane
(H) Referred to Committee -- (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks
02/24/2011
Revise the primitive parks act
SB 107
LC1188
Kendall Van Dyk
(S) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal*
02/24/2011
Allow park rangers to carry firearms
SB 118
LC0767
Larry Jent
(H) Referred to Committee -- (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks
02/09/2011
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) Transmitted to House
02/18/2011
Revise laws governing translocation of bison; prohibit free-roaming bison
SB 174
LC2008
Gene Vuckovich
(S) Transmitted to House
02/24/2011
Prohibit state funds for movement or relocation of bison to Spotted Dog WMA
SB 179
LC1702
Art Wittich
(S) Transmitted to House
02/09/2011
Memorialize trooper David Delaittre
SB 181
LC0945
Kendall Van Dyk
(S) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal*
02/24/2011
Eliminate and revise statutes related to MDOT boards and councils
SB 213
LC2083
Gene Vuckovich
(S) Transmitted to House
02/08/2011
Designate Montana Highway 1 Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway
SB 253
LC1694
Bob Lake
(S) Hearing -- (S) Taxation
02/11/2011; 8:00 AM, Rm 405
Eliminate certain individual and corporation tax credits
SB 291
LC1639
Ryan Zinke
(S) Transmitted to House
02/24/2011
Disclosure of state publications and media expenses
SB 301
LC2086
Rick Ripley
(S) Transmitted to House
02/24/2011
Moratorium on land purchases by dept. of fish, wildlife, and parks
SB 338
LC2147
Ron Arthun
(S) Hearing -- (S) State Administration
03/02/2011; 3:00 PM, Rm 335
Revise laws regarding certain officials and public service announcements
SB 343
LC1877
Verdell Jackson
(S) Rereferred to Committee -- (S) Finance and Claims
02/22/2011
Revise Montana aquatic invasive species act
SJ 6
LC0589
Alan Olson
(H) Referred to Committee -- (H) Natural Resources
02/24/2011
Resolution regarding federal land use policy
Unintroduced Bills
* after status indicates the bill is probably dead
Total number of Unintroduced Bills - 63
Bill Draft No. (LC No.)
Requestor
Status
Status Date
Short Title
LC0175
John Brenden
(C) Draft On Hold
12/09/2010
Provide for reversion of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks funds to general fund
LC0223
Jim Keane
(C) Draft On Hold
10/05/2010
Generally revise laws related to economic development
LC0473
Lynda Moss
(C) Draft On Hold
11/08/2010
Resolution promoting children and nature
LC0475
Lynda Moss
(C) Draft On Hold
11/11/2010
Develop preservation and interpretation strategies for historic sites in SE Mont
LC0505
Llew Jones
(C) Draft On Hold
10/15/2010
Generally revise statutory appropriations
LC0506
Llew Jones
(C) Draft On Hold
10/15/2010
Generally revise statutory appropriations
LC0526
Roy Hollandsworth
(C) Draft On Hold
10/19/2010
Transfer certain state special revenue fund balances to general fund
LC0532
Roy Hollandsworth
(C) Draft to Requester for Review
02/19/2011
Provide for certain fund transfers
LC0539
Roy Hollandsworth
(C) Draft Taken Off Hold
02/21/2011
Generally revise appropriation laws
LC0685
Tom McGillvray
(C) Draft Ready for Delivery
01/03/2011
Revise laws governing transportation permitting
LC0862
Llew Jones
(C) Draft Taken Off Hold
02/21/2011
Revise allocations of revenue and use of state special revenue accounts
LC0864
Llew Jones
(C) Draft Taken Off Hold
02/21/2011
Revise fees and appropriations
LC1224
Wayne Stahl
(C) Draft On Hold
12/03/2010
Generally revise taxation
LC1230
Wayne Stahl
(C) Draft On Hold
12/04/2010
Generally revise taxation
LC1257
Wayne Stahl
(C) Draft On Hold
02/18/2011
Generally revise laws related to state parks
LC1297
Margaret (Margie) MacDonald
(C) Draft On Hold
12/05/2010
Generally revise tax laws
LC1302
Chuck Hunter
(C) Draft On Hold
01/11/2011
Revise vacancy and election process within resort area districts
LC1304
Ryan Zinke
(C) Draft On Hold
12/09/2010
Revise public recreation and events limits of liability
LC1331
Rick Ripley
(C) Draft On Hold
01/09/2011
Create a land banking program including no net gain within FWP
LC1381
Jeff Essmann
(C) Draft On Hold
12/05/2010
Generally revise taxes
LC1396
Jeff Essmann
(C) Draft On Hold
12/05/2010
Generally revise fish, wildlife, and parks
LC1397
Jeff Essmann
(C) Draft On Hold
12/05/2010
Generally revise hunting and fishing laws
LC1398
Jeff Essmann
(C) Draft On Hold
12/05/2010
Generally revise recreation laws
LC1399
Jeff Essmann
(C) Draft On Hold
12/08/2010
Generally revise land access
LC1457
Mary Caferro
(C) Draft On Hold
01/22/2011
Generally revise tax code
LC1458
Mary Caferro
(C) Draft On Hold
01/22/2011
Generally revise tax code
LC1466
Dan Skattum
(C) Draft On Hold
02/08/2011
Generally revise tax law
LC1468
Dan Skattum
(C) Draft On Hold
12/10/2010
Generally revise tax law
LC1547
Betsy Hands
(C) Draft Ready for Delivery
01/19/2011
refunds for skier if ski lifts inoperable for 1 hour or more
LC1559
Mike Menahan
(C) Draft to Requester for Review
02/23/2011
Create bond program to build Montana Historical Society museum
LC1575
Mark Blasdel
(C) Draft On Hold
12/05/2010
Generally revise tax laws
LC1581
Mark Blasdel
(C) Draft On Hold
12/23/2010
Generally revise gross receipt tax
LC1582
Mark Blasdel
(C) Draft Ready for Delivery
02/23/2011
Revise taxation of class eight business equipment
LC1588
Michele Reinhart
(C) Draft Request Received
12/05/2010
Generally revise tax laws
LC1589
Michele Reinhart
(C) Draft Request Received
12/05/2010
Generally revise tax laws
LC1598
Michele Reinhart
(C) Draft On Hold
12/20/2010
Study resolution on increasing passenger rail in Montana
LC1615
Michele Reinhart
(C) Draft Request Received
12/05/2010
Generally revise tax laws
LC1641
Ryan Zinke
(C) Draft Ready for Delivery
02/07/2011
Prohibit discrimination on bed tax use based on tourism organization membership
LC1709
Duane Ankney
(C) Draft On Hold
12/08/2010
Generally revise taxation
LC1714
Douglas (Doug) Kary
(C) Draft On Hold
02/08/2011
Revise tax laws
LC1720
Sue Malek
(C) Draft On Hold
01/13/2011
Generally revise tax laws
LC1721
Sue Malek
(C) Draft On Hold
01/13/2011
Generally revise tax laws
LC1722
Chas Vincent
(C) Draft On Hold
02/16/2011
Generally revise laws related to state boards and commissions
LC1784
Kelly Flynn
(C) Draft On Hold
01/18/2011
Establishing stewardship access program
LC1821
Jim Peterson
(C) Draft Request Received
12/23/2010
Generally revise taxes
LC1862
John Esp
(C) Draft On Hold
02/05/2011
Generally revise stream access law
LC1883
Bruce Tutvedt
(C) Draft Request Received
12/31/2010
Generally revise tax laws
LC1885
Kelly Flynn
(C) Draft On Hold
12/31/2010
Revise laws related to nonresident hunting licenses
LC1887
Jeffery W Welborn
(C) Draft On Hold
12/31/2010
Generally revise laws related to outfitting
LC1907
Donald J Steinbeisser
(C) Draft On Hold
01/15/2011
Generally revise fish, wildlife, and parks laws
LC1927
John Brenden
(C) Draft On Hold
01/03/2011
Revise laws relating to fish, wildlife, and parks
LC1945
Ryan Osmundson
(C) Draft On Hold
01/04/2011
Provide interstate compact on national monuments & wilderness govt coordination
LC1949
Art Wittich
(C) Draft Request Received
01/03/2011
Generally revise tax laws
LC1951
Jim Peterson
(C) Draft On Hold
01/09/2011
Generally revise wildlife management
LC1953
Joe Balyeat
(C) Draft Request Received
01/03/2011
Revise tax laws
LC1974
John Brenden
(C) Draft On Hold
01/03/2011
Revise fish, wildlife, and parks laws
LC1975
Mark Blasdel
(C) Draft On Hold
01/03/2011
Generally revise tax laws
LC1978
Mark Blasdel
(C) Draft On Hold
01/03/2011
Generally revise tax laws
LC2039
Anders Blewett
(C) Draft On Hold
02/19/2011
Revise credit for preservation of historic buildings
LC2079
Diane Sands
(C) Draft Ready for Delivery
02/14/2011
Resolution urging Congress, President, and TSA to reconsider search procedures
LC2131
Taylor Brown
(C) Draft On Hold
02/01/2011
Revise designation for Montana cowboy hall of fame
LC2137
Cliff Larsen
(C) Draft On Hold
01/17/2011
Generally revise fish, wildlife, and parks laws
LC2199
(H) Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources and Transportation
(C) Draft Request Received
02/18/2011
Revise aquatic invasive species laws and provide appropriation
“Probably Dead" is a Bill Progress Category, and is assigned to those bills that have been voted down or missed a transmittal deadline, and to those bill drafts that have been canceled.
To revive a bill that is "probably dead" typically requires a supermajority vote (usually a 2/3 vote) by the House or Senate.
I will be removing bills that missed the transmittal deadline from future updates.
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.
Your active participation is critical to assure that the tourism and film industry has a voice at the table. Please stay involved!
Thanks for your commitment to our wonderful state of Montana.
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)
