Helena, Montana 59601

Phone/Fax 406-443-2370

February 19, 2007

LOBBYIST ACTIVITY REPORT

2007 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

WEEK SEVEN

(February 11, 2007 – February 17, 2007)

During Week Seven of the 2007 Legislative Session, provided testimony on the following bills:

SJ R 5: “A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY TO IDENTIFY THE ISSUES AND CHALLENGES INVOLVED IN PROVIDING EMERGENCY CARE AND TO REPORT ON STRATEGIES THAT CAN STRENGTHEN MONTANA'S EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM.” This proposed legislation, in the form of a Senate Joint Resolution, would require that the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee, to gather information from stakeholders and customers of the state’s emergency care system, including but not limited to local emergency service providers, emergency medical services systems, hospitals, physicians and other health care providers, . . . to conduct a statewide assessment of issues that communities face relating to emergency medical services. This interim study would be particularly useful to rural areas of Montana where any medical services, including emergency medical services, are many miles and many minutes away. I supported this interim study.

HJR 6: “A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA SUPPORTING THE "25 X 25" INITIATIVE TO INCREASE PRODUCTION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY BY THE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY.” This proposed legislation, in the form of a House Joint Resolution states, “That the Montana Legislature endorses the "25 x 25" vision of agriculture providing 25% of the total energy consumed in the United States by the year 2025, while continuing to produce abundant, safe, and affordable food and fiber, . . ., and, that copies of this resolution be sent by the Secretary of State to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate and House of Representatives, and each member of the Montana Congressional Delegation.” While this proposal is only a “target” to aim for in 20025, it could help stimulate Montana’s/Richland County’s agricultural economic base. I provided testimony in support of this House Joint Resolution.

HB 529: "AN ACT REDUCING THE TAX RATE FOR CLASS EIGHT BUSINESS EQUIPMENT; REVISING THE EXEMPTION AMOUNT OF CLASS EIGHT PROPERTY; PROVIDING A REIMBURSEMENT TO LOCAL TAXING JURISDICTIONS FOR THE LOSS OF CLASS EIGHT PROPERTY TAX REVENUE; PROVIDING THAT THE REIMBURSEMENT BE CONSIDERED PROPERTY TAXES ACTUALLY ASSESSED IN CALCULATING THE MILL LEVY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009; AMENDING SECTIONS 7-1-2111, 15-6-138, 15-6-219, 15-8-301, 15-10-420, 17-7-502, AND 20-9-406, MCA; AND PROVIDING A DELAYED EFFECTIVE DATE AND AN APPLICABILITY DATE." This proposed legislation would basically reduce the tax on Class Eight property from 3% to 4%. Class Eight property includes:

(a) all agricultural implements and equipment that are not exempt under 15-6-207 or 15-6-220;

(b) all mining machinery, fixtures, equipment, tools that are not exempt under 15-6-219, and supplies except those included in class five 15-6-135;

(c) all oil and gas production machinery, fixtures, equipment, including pumping units, oil field storage tanks, water storage tanks, water disposal injection pumps, gas compressor and dehydrator units, communication towers, gas metering shacks, treaters, gas separators, water flood units, gas boosters, and similar equipment that is skidable, portable, or movable, tools that are not exempt under 15-6-219, and supplies except those included in class five 15-6-135;

(d) all manufacturing machinery, fixtures, equipment, tools, except a certain value of hand-held tools and personal property related to space vehicles, ethanol manufacturing, and industrial dairies and milk processors as provided in 15-6-220, and supplies except those included in class five 15-6-135;

(e) all goods and equipment that are intended for rent or lease, except goods and equipment that are specifically included and taxed in another class;

(f) special mobile equipment as defined in 61-1-101;

(g) furniture, fixtures, and equipment, except that specifically included in another class, used in commercial establishments as defined in this section;

(h) x-ray and medical and dental equipment;

(i) citizens' band radios and mobile telephones;

(j) radio and television broadcasting and transmitting equipment;

(k) cable television systems;

(l) coal and ore haulers;

(m) theater projectors and sound equipment; and

(n) all other property that is not included in any other class in this part, except that property that is subject to a fee in lieu of a property tax.

As proposed, this bill would not reduce the amount of taxes collected by the county because there is a provision that would reimburse the counties, from the State General Fund.

While there were many proponents for HB 529, the only opponent was the Governor’s Office. The Governor’s Office said that while the idea is good, a better bill that accomplishes much the same thing is SB 220. SB 220 has not been heard by the Senate Taxation Committee yet. I provided testimony in support of HB 529.

HB 451: "AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A SMALL TOWN RENEWAL PROGRAM IN THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE; PROVIDING REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS; PROVIDING CRITERIA FOR AWARDING GRANTS; PROVIDING RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE." This proposed legislation would create a program to encourage the use and reuse of sound buildings in need of renovation and rehabilitation in Montana’s small towns (less than 2,500). This program would be funded with state appropriated funds in an amount that would be used to leverage funds from the federal government, foundations and endowments, and the private sector. Under this program, the applicant would be required to provide $1.00 of matching funds, either in cash or in-kind services for each $4.00 of program funds requested. The maximum amount of a grant would be $60,000.00, requiring $15,000.00 in local matching funds. To qualify for this program, certain application requirements and criteria must be met. The Fiscal Note for this proposed legislation indicates that fiscal impact of this program on the General Fund would be approximately $966,000.00 for each year of the biennium. I monitored this proposed legislation.

HB 619: "AN ACT REQUIRING EMPLOYEES IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO BE A PART OF THE EXISTING PERSONNEL CLASSIFICATION PLAN; AND AMENDING SECTION 2-18-103, MCA." This proposed legislation simply requires that all staff positions in the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, with the exception of the Chief Business Development Officer, be a part of the existing personnel classification plan. I monitored this proposed legislation.

HB 516: "AN ACT PROVIDING FOR TRANSFERS OF FUNDS FROM THE STATE GENERAL FUND TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING REVOLVING LOAN ACCOUNT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE." This proposed legislation would provide for the transfer of $10 million for the 2009 Biennium ($5 million in FY 2009 and $5 million in FY 2009) from the State General Fund to the Affordable Housing Revolving Loan Account. I monitored this proposed legislation.

SB 440: "AN ACT REQUIRING A MILITARY VETERAN IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE STATE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD AND IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF EACH LOCAL WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD; AMENDING SECTIONS SECTION 53-2-1203 AND 53-2-1204, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE." The purpose of this legislation is self-explanatory in that it requires that both the State Workforce Investment Board and the membership of each Local Workforce Investment Board must include a military veteran in the membership of the Boards. I monitored this proposed legislation.

HB 663: "AN ACT REQUIRING THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER TO ESTABLISH A COUNTY COURTHOUSE RESTORATION AND REHABILITATION PROGRAM; AND REQUIRING THE OFFICER TO ASSIST COUNTIES, AS REQUESTED, IN DETERMINING THE NEED FOR AND COST OF RESTORING OR REHABILITATING THEIR COURTHOUSES AND IN OBTAINING GRANTS AND LOANS.” The purpose of this legislation is self-explanatory. I monitored this proposed legislation.