Today, the 28th Legislative Day, we are almost a third of the way through the 90 day session. So far 696 bills have been introduced which is 31.752% of the total requested and only 1 bill has made it all the way through the legislative process and been signed into law. Due in part to the amount of bills introduced, bills are being introduced and scheduled for hearings quickly.
The big news this week has been hearings on HB 316 Redistribute certain revenue and income to state general fund. Among the many allocation changes is the reduction in allocation of all recipients of the 4% lodging facility use tax by 10% with that money being diverted to the general fund. Over the biennium this would result in a loss of $2,465,003 to the Montana Office of Tourism and a loss of $821,668 to the Regions/CVBs. This would be a permanent change to the funding flow. The Schweitzer Administration including the Department of Commerce have testified in opposition to this bill.
Additionally SB 253 Eliminate certain individual and corporation tax credits was introduced by Senator Lake. 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 referred to the Senate Taxation Committee, but no hearing has been scheduled yet.
HB 196 (Connell): Provide that Dept. of Commerce assist local gov't with fed land management props. This bill passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee as amended. The amendments changed the bill to state that the Department of Commerce could help local governments if funds are available. After a 59-40 vote on the House floor, the bill was referred to the House Appropriations Committee.
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 heard before a joint subcommittee of the Joint Appropriations Long-Range Planning and each of the various section subcommittees. The General Government Subcommittee hearing was this morning. A hearing has been scheduled before the Education Subcommittee on Monday.
HB 370 (Squires): Increase motor vehicle fee for state parks and Virginia & Nevada Cities. This bill was introduced and referred to the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee, but no hearing has been scheduled yet.
SB 3 (Hawks):Require state agencies to report on heritage properties. This bill requires state agencies and the university system to biennially report on the status and maintenance needed of agency heritage properties. The bill is scheduled for Second Reading in the House today.
SB 43 (Keane): Revise the primitive parks act. This bill was amended in committee to only remove the Thompson Falls State Park from the act. The bill is scheduled for Second Reading in the House today.
SB 181 (Van Dyk): Eliminate and revise statutes related to MDOT boards and councils. This would eliminate the Scenic By-Ways Advisory Council and give those duties to the Department of Transportation. At the request of the bill sponsor, Senator Van Dyk, this bill was tabled by the Senate State Administration Committee.
SB 253 (Lake): Eliminate certain individual and corporation tax credits. As mentioned above 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 referred to the Senate Taxation Committee, but no hearing has been scheduled yet. We will be monitoring this bill very closely.
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 - 31
Total number of Introduced and Unintroduced Bills - 104
Bill Type - Number
LC Number
Primary Sponsor
Status
Status Date
Short Title
HB 2
LC0119
Walter McNutt
(H) Hearing -- (H) Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources and Transportation
02/07/2011; 9:00 AM, Rm 317C
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) Referred to Committee -- (S) Fish and Game
02/01/2011
Direct proceeds from sale of state parks; deposit in state parks spec. rev. fund
HB 111
LC0230
Wayne Stahl
(S) Referred to Committee -- (S) Taxation
02/03/2011
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) Rereferred to Committee -- (H) Appropriations
02/02/2011
Provide that Dept. of Commerce assist local gov't with fed land management props
HB 225
LC0179
Jeffery W Welborn
(H) Transmitted to Senate
01/29/2011
Clarify environmental review requirements for snowmobile trail programs
HB 258
LC1919
Champ Edmunds
(H) Transmitted to Senate
01/31/2011
Revise definition of guest ranch
HB 270
LC0835
Steve Lavin
(H) Transmitted to Senate
01/31/2011
Provide for Trooper Haynes memorial highway
HB 316
LC0527
Rob Cook
(H) Hearing -- (H) Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on Long-Range Planning
02/07/2011; 9:00 AM, Rm 152
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) Referred to Committee -- (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks
01/28/2011
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
02/07/2011; 9:00 AM, Rm 152
Reduce certain general fund transfers
HB 413
LC0660
Bill Harris
(H) Referred to Committee -- (H) Agriculture
02/04/2011
Establish net client hunting use as outfitter property
HJ 1
LC0414
Mike Milburn
(S) Referred to Committee -- (S) Fish and Game
02/01/2011
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) Transmitted to Senate
01/31/2011
Resolution opposing designation of national monuments without state's consent
SB 3
LC0245
Bob Hawks
(S) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
02/04/2011
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) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
02/04/2011
Revise the primitive parks act
SB 107
LC1188
Kendall Van Dyk
(S) Tabled in Committee* -- (S) Fish and Game
01/28/2011
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) Committee Report--Bill Passed -- (S) Highways and Transportation
02/02/2011
Memorialize trooper David Delaittre
SB 181
LC0945
Kendall Van Dyk
(S) Tabled in Committee* -- (S) State Administration
01/31/2011
Eliminate and revise statutes related to MDOT boards and councils
SB 213
LC2083
Gene Vuckovich
(S) Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended -- (S) Highways and Transportation
02/03/2011
Designate Montana Highway 1 Pintlar Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway
SB 253
LC1694
Bob Lake
(S) Referred to Committee -- (S) Taxation
01/31/2011
Eliminate certain individual and corporation tax credits
SJ 6
LC0589
Alan Olson
(S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
02/04/2011
Resolution regarding federal land use policy
Unintroduced Bills
* after status indicates the bill is probably dead
Total number of Unintroduced Bills - 73
Bill Draft No. (LC No.)
Requestor
Status
Status Date
Short Title
LC0012
Greg Hinkle
(C) Draft Delivered to Requester
02/02/2011
Amend constitution for Montana sportsman's heritage amendment
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 On Hold
10/20/2010
Provide for certain fund transfers
LC0539
Roy Hollandsworth
(C) Draft On Hold
10/20/2010
Generally revise appropriation laws
LC0659
Bill Harris
(C) Draft Ready for Delivery
01/28/2011
Reinstate outfitter-sponsored hunting licenses
LC0685
Tom McGillvray
(C) Draft Ready for Delivery
01/03/2011
Revise laws governing transportation permitting
LC0811
Wayne Stahl
(C) Draft On Hold
11/22/2010
Revise recreational statutes
LC0862
Llew Jones
(C) Draft On Hold
12/29/2010
Revise allocations of revenue
LC0864
Llew Jones
(C) Draft On Hold
12/29/2010
Revise statutory appropriations
LC1223
Wayne Stahl
(C) Draft On Hold
12/03/2010
Generally revise taxation
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 to Requester for Review
01/31/2011
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
LC1352
Jim Keane
(C) Draft to Requester for Review
02/04/2011
Generally revise tax increment financing districts
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 Request Received
12/05/2010
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 Request Received
12/05/2010
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 On Hold
12/05/2010
Generally revise tax laws
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
LC1597
Michele Reinhart
(C) Draft On Hold
12/23/2010
Revise laws to increase passenger rail
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 in Legal Review
02/04/2011
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 Request Received
12/08/2010
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 Taken Off Hold
02/03/2011
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 Request Received
12/29/2010
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
LC1886
Jeffery W Welborn
(C) Draft in Final Drafter Review
02/04/2011
Revise laws related to outfitting and net client hunter use
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 Request Received
01/11/2011
Revise credit for preservation of historic buildings
LC2079
Diane Sands
(C) Draft Request Received
01/14/2011
Resolution urging Congress, President, and TSA to reconsider search procedures
LC2086
Rick Ripley
(C) Draft to Requester for Review
02/02/2011
Moratorium on land purchases by dept. of fish, wildlife, and parks
LC2117
Roy Hollandsworth
(C) Draft in Legal Review
02/02/2011
Revise lodging facility use tax allocation to Montana historical society
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
LC2147
John Brenden
(C) Draft Request Received
01/17/2011
Revise laws regarding certain officials and public service announcements
LC2152
Frank Smith
(C) Draft Request Received
01/17/2011
Revise laws regarding cowboy hall of fame
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