Happenings on the Hill: Updates from Montana's Capitol

Interim Studies | MACo Bills| Pension Updates

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During each legislative session, legislators identify issues they want to study in more depth. They appoint interim committees to conduct these and other studies during the interims between sessions. The House and Senate leadership decides on who will be on the interim committees for the interim. Therefore, the members of the interim committees serve one 20 month term. The committees often invite experts to present information to them. Members of the public also get a chance to have their say.

Legislators use what they learn from the interim studies to make well-informed decisions about what bills to consider during the next session.

Administrative Committees

The administrative committees oversee management of the legislative branch of state government also meet during the interim.

You can sign up to get electronic notification of committee meetings. You can also listen to all interim committee meetings held in the Capitol live on the legislative website.

Interim Committees List

Access Past Interim Committees Here

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Listed below are the Interim Study Resolutions that have been filed with the Secretary of State as well as the results of the 2013 Interim Study Poll, based on ballots sent April 25 and returned through May 9. The rank of each study is shown in the far left column, and the total points received are in the far right column.  These assignments were adopted by Legislative Council on May 16, 2013.

Rank Res. Short Title/Subject Interim Committee (IC) Assignment Points
1 HJ 17 Study state pay plans  Legislative Finance Committee 1090
2 SJ 15 Study public land management  Environmental Quality Council 1015
3 HJ 1 Study structure and duties of office of comm of political practices  State Administration and Veterans' Affairs IC 983
3 SJ 6 Study the impacts of Montana's renewable portfolio standard  Energy & Telecommunications IC 983
5 HJ 16 Study state-operated public institutions  Children, Families, Health & Human Services IC 961
6 HJ 25 Study workers' compensation and subrogation,  other issues  Economic Affairs IC 825
7 SJ 20 Study prescription drug abuse  Children, Families, Health & Human Services IC 809
8 SJ 23 Study the tax appeal process  Revenue & Transportation IC 804
9 SJ 22 Study family law procedure alternatives  Law & Justice IC 785
10 SJ 3 Study the Board of Pardons and Parole  Law & Justice IC 725
11 HJ 2 Study state/local gov electronic records management  Education & Local Government IC 665
12 HJ 26 Study water ditch/canal easement restatement process options  Water Policy Committee 640
13 SJ 26 Study commerce corridors along Montana highways  Revenue & Transportation IC 628
14 SJ 14 Study local government election procedures  State Administration and Veterans' Affairs IC 604
15 SJ 24 Study military training applicability to civilian jobs  Economic Affairs IC 558
16 SJ 4 Study Virginia City,  Nevada City, and Reeder's Alley  Environmental Quality Council 542
17 HJ 30 Study benefits for veterans Information Request (Staff)* 524
NA HB 609 Study of hunting and fishing licensing Environmental Quality Council NA
NA HB 633 Create select committee on efficiency in government--members--duties Select Committee (Vetoed/Poll) NA
NA SJ 13 Request MUS to study college completion Goes directly to MUS for their consideration NA

Mean Average points = 773 (SJR 22) Median points = 785 (SJR 22) BALLOTS = 107 returned as of 5 p.m., May 9, 2011 (71%). These rankings were compiled from the 107 "ballots" received by LSD as of 5 p.m., Thursday, May 9.

* Legislative Staff recommended that the study of statutory benefits provided to military veterans not be assigned to an interim committee but, instead, be conducted by staff as an information request. The staff's compilation of statutory veterans' benefits would be specifically presented to: State Admin. and Vets' Affairs; EQC; Children and Families; Economic Affairs; Revenue and Transportation; and, if requested, to other committees, including the Legislative Finance Committee.

Click Here for Further Details Regarding the Interim Study Poll Results

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MACo legislation and associated resolutions for the 63rd Legislative Session.  Please note that bill information will be posted as it becomes available.

MACo Bill Statuses
Res. No. Res. Short Title Bill LC Requestor/Sponsor Bill Short Title Action
2010-01 Amending the Interagency Bison Management Plan --- --- --- --- ---
2010-09 Interim Zoning SB 105 1063 Taylor Brown Revise interim zoning laws (S) Died in Process*
2010-13 Mobile Home Disposal HB 192 0542 Roger A Hagan Revise laws related to mobile home transfer and taxes Chapter Number Assigned
2010-17 Food Safety Compliance --- --- --- --- ---
2010-19 Statutory Continuation and Improvement of Tax Increment Financing SB 239 0734 Edward Buttrey Generally revise tax increment financing districts Chapter Number Assigned
2010-22 Technology Districts --- 0735 Edward Buttrey Allow Montana businesses to participate in technology districts Draft Died in Process*
2012-01 Automatic Re-Registration of Absentee Ballots HB 510 0496 Pat Ingraham Eliminate requirement for annual absentee forms Chapter Number Assigned
2012-02 Board of Adjustment Appeals --- --- --- --- ---
2012-03 Commissioner District Redistricting HB 164 1413 Amanda Curtis Revise county commissioner district laws related to time periods Chapter Number Assigned
2012-04 County Elected Official Vacancies SB 132 1172 Greg Jergeson Revise statutory dates related to filling mid-term county elected office Chapter Number Assigned
2012-05 EMS Council Run Review --- --- --- --- ---
2012-06 Equipment Auction Limits HB 371 1286 Pat Ingraham Revise county public auction laws Chapter Number Assigned
2012-07 Fuel Tax Bid Limits HB 194 1145 Pat Ingraham Revise gasoline and vehicle fuel tax fund laws Chapter Number Assigned
2012-08 Interim Appointments HB 193 1055 Roger Hagan Authorize interim appointments of county elected officials Chapter Number Assigned
2012-09 Justice Court Filing Fees HB 206 1064 Kelly Flynn Increase justice court filing fees Chapter Number Assigned
2012-10 Legal Holidays HB 325 0736 Keith Regier Revising local government legal holiday laws Chapter Number Assigned
2012-11 Livestock Assessment Date SB 72 0724 Debby Barrett Revise the livestock per-capita assessment date Chapter Number Assigned
2012-12 Medical Marijuana Ordinance Authority n/a n/a n/a n/a Bill not needed--current law stands.
2012-13 MT Land Information Act Funding n/a n/a n/a n/a Not going forward.
2012-14 Noxious Weed Act Compliance SB 301 1315 Terry Murphy Revise noxious weed laws Chapter Number Assigned
2012-15 Open Cut Permit Fees SB 234 0915 Jim Peterson Provisional permits for gravel pits (S) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal*
SB 332 1261 Bruce Tutvedt Generally revise open-cut laws Chapter Number Assigned
Replacement for SB 234, Provisional permits for gravel pits (Jim Peterson)
2012-16 Overweight Permit Fees HB 216 1104 Alan Doane Revise laws related to distribution of overweight and oversize permit fees (S) Died in Standing Committee*
2012-17 Public Safety Communications System --- 1296 Steve Lavin Revise public safety communication laws Draft Died in Process*
2012-18 School Zone Speed Limits SB 161 1353 Mitch Tropila Revise school zone speeding laws for state highways Chapter Number Assigned
2012-19 Special Use Fuel Permit Bond SB 116 0156 Ron Arthun Revise special fuel user permit requirements on local government projects Chapter Number Assigned
2012-20 State Agency Coordination HB 326 0441 Kelly Flynn Require state coordination with local governments when requested (H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal*
2012-EC1
(Exec-Comm. Approved)		 Publication Notice HB 258 1523 Bridget Smith Revise local government laws related to public notice Chapter Number Assigned

* after a status indicates the bill is probably dead:"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.

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MACo's Daily & Weekly Updates

Update: HB 218 Veto Override

House Bill 218,  which would have created a new program to be administered by the Department of Commerce to provide grants to local governments for oil and gas impact...

2013-2014 Interim Committees

During each legislative session, legislators identify issues they want to study in more depth. They appoint interim committees to conduct these and other studies during the...

!ACTION NEEDED! - HB 218 Veto Override - Contact Your Senators & Representatives NOW

Attention Montana Elected Officials:  Please contact your Senators and Representatives IMMEDIATELY regarding...

2013-2014 Interim Study Resolution Assignments

Click the link below to see a list of the Interim Study Resolutions that have been filed with the Secretary of State as well as their poll ranking.

Update: HB 258, Revise local government laws related to public notice

We would like extend our gratitude for all of your help communicating with your Senators on...

Update: HB 454 Passed - Thank You Montana County Elected Officials

With many thanks to all of you, we are pleased to report that HB 454, the pension funding bill, passed third reading in the House,...

! ACTION NEEDED ! - HB 454 - Upcoming Pension Bill Vote - Contact Representatives Now

We are almost to the end, but need your help now!!!!  This could be the most important contact you make this session!

! ACTION NEEDED ! - HB 454 - Pension Bill Vote Today - Contact Senators Now

HB 454, the LAST pension funding bill still in the process, will be heard and voted on in the Senate on April 17 at 1:00.  PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SENATOR NOW...

Pension Update: Week 12

It’s been a busy week regarding pension funding bills, with action being taken quickly to meet the March 29 transmittal deadline for appropriations bills. 

! ACTION NEEDED ! - SB 19, Define Combined Appropriation for Exempt Wells

Senate Bill 19 - Define combined appropriations for exempt wells passed the Senate and has also passed out of House Natural Resources committee on a very close 9-7 vote....

View all Daily Updates

Latest Issue of MACo's Legislative Update

Issue 21, Final Legislative Update: May 9, 2013

This is the 21st, and final, issue of MACo's Legislative Update for the 63rd Legislative Session.

This issue includes the Governor's final actions on bills, a list of bills that are currently going through--or being prepared for--the veto override process, a list of possible interim study resolutions, as well as the status of MACo-requested bills and bills we watched over the course of the session—the MACo-requested bills and higher priority bills include some additional information to better inform our readers.

Read Latest Legislative Update Here

Previous Issues

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The bills below are MACo-requested legislation, or they are either on our Watch or Priority Watch list (bills likely to affect counties) that have become law.  Higher priority bills are in bold font: 

  • SB 108, Renew Montana charitable endowment tax credit
  • HB 39, Revise school finance laws to correct implementation problems
  • HB 48, Revise Insure Montana laws
  • HB 74, Require disclosure of child abuse to DPHHS to law enforcement in all cases
  • HB 87, Provide state insurance commissioner with health insurance rate review authority
  • HB 106, Generally revise water use laws
  • HB 120, Generally revise election laws
  • HB 206, Increase justice court filing fees (MACo Bill)
  • HB 233, Generally revise 24/7 sobriety program
  • HB 403, Revising fees collected by district court clerks
  • HB 431, Revise laws related to surface owner damage and disruption compensation
  • HB 444, Provide tax credit for access to state lands
  • HB 562, Revise subdivision laws
  • HB 580, Provide funding for governor's sage-grouse advisory council
  • HB 583, Establish Montana Suicide Review Team
  • HB 586, Revise aquatic invasive species laws
  • HB 593, Revise DOR laws for calculating soil type and productivity values on range land
  • HB 607, Expand electronic title, lien filing, and registration pilot program
  • SB 69, Revise Medicaid qualification enforcement laws
  • SB 84, Establish standards and structure for patient-centered medical homes
  • SB 348, Providing for an act for Montana school safety
  • SB 144, Generally revise noxious weed trust fund laws
  • HB 16, Revise involuntary commitment and emergency detention laws
  • HB 442, Increase vehicle damage reporting requirement
  • HB 544, Revising insurance provisions related to provider networks
  • HB 575, Generally revise 9-1-1 laws
  • HB 3, Supplemental appropriations
  • HB 4, Appropriations by budget amendment
  • HB 630, Establish the Montana food policy modernization project
  • SB 301, Revise noxious weed laws (MACo Bill)
  • HB 258, Revise local government laws related to public notice (MACo Bill)
  • HB 320, Change name of optional retirement system
  • HB 605, Generally revise resort district laws
  • SB 127, Revise unemployment law, revise def. of misconduct
  • SB 345, Revise laws related to liability for forest and range fires
  • SB 290, Revise county zoning regarding notice of change of use
  • SB 405, Referendum to revise close of late voter registration
  • SB 408, Referendum to provide top two primary in certain elections
  • HB 37, Allow temporary leasing of water rights
  • HB 71, Clarifying restorative justice laws and establish grant program
  • HB 78, Clarify break in service requirements for postretirement employment under TRS
  • HB 95, Require contributions on working retiree compensation
  • HB 122, Ensure federal IRS qualification of MPERA retirement systems
  • HB 195, Revise laws related to taxation of certain forest land
  • HB 203, Revise direct state aid to public libraries
  • HB 250, Require navigator, insurance producer certification for exchanges
  • HB 336, Generally revise highway patrol retirement system laws
  • HB 352, Revise justice court laws
  • HB 410, Third party voter registration integrity preservation
  • HB 461, Increase pension for certain volunteer firefighters
  • HB 485, Revise landlord tenant laws to expand Justice Court jurisdiction
  • HB 510, Eliminate requirement for annual absentee forms (MACo Bill)
  • SB 161, Change the requirements for establishing a special speed zone (MACo Bill)
  • SB 207, Adopt Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act
  • SB 292, Revise medical peer review laws to clarify definitions
  • HB 146, Generally revise laws related to solid waste licenses and fees
  • SB 209, Authorize resort area district to issue bonds and pledge resort tax revenue
  • SB 271, Generally revise county sewer and water district laws
  • HB 9, Cultural and aesthetic grants
  • HB 66, Allow for electronic service of notices of levy and writs of execution
  • HB 79, Constitutional referendum to rename the State Auditor
  • HB 84, Revise 72-hour presumptive eligibility requirements for crisis stabilization
  • HB 124, Clarify exemption for school districts and special districts in elections
  • HB 451, Revise fire warden laws
  • HB 465, Increase certain county clerk fees
  • SB 122, Generally revise election laws regarding municipal nonpartisan elections
  • SB 239, Generally revise tax increment financing districts (MACo Bill)
  • HB 38, Transfer GIS duties to state library
  • HB 72, Allow restorative justice as condition of suspended or deferred sentence
  • HB 105, Generally revise MPERA retirement system laws concerning plan administration
  • HB 335, Revise sexual offender laws
  • HB 455, Revise law for the re-issuance of title for abandoned vehicles
  • HB 462, Revise lien laws for due process considerations
  • SB 48, Establish regional water system rate process
  • SB 116, Revise special fuel user permit laws (MACo Bill)
  • SB 176, Generally revise voting requirements and procedures for non-profit organizations
  • SB 185, Revise veteran public employment hiring laws
  • SB 194, Restrict the use of strip and body cavity searches
  • SB 316, Generally revise subdivision laws regarding encroachment onto private property
  • SB 332, Generally revise open-cut laws (MACo Bill)
  • HB 7, Reclamation and development grants
  • HB 22, Generally revise state auditor laws on insurance
  • HB 194, Revise gasoline and vehicle fuel tax fund laws (MACo Bill)
  • HB 314, Revising special district laws
  • HB 323, Add grizzly bear livestock losses to the livestock loss program
  • SB 128, Revise when unemployment insurance rates not affected by benefits paid
  • HB 168, Revise DUI laws for THC
  • HB 469, Allow arbitration for disputes relating to construction liens
  • HB 226, Exempt computer professionals from overtime pay
  • SB 67, Revise certain statutory report requirements to the legislature
  • SB 137, Revise local government laws relate to property environmental clean-up
  • SB 172, Revise laws related to dental insurance plans and services
  • SB 270, Require insurance coverage of telemedicine services
  • SB 293, Require certain water and sanitation information at subdivision pre-application
  • SB 312, Revise state information technology policy
  • HB 91, Modify and expand public employee 457 deferred compensation program
  • HB 125, Clarify when candidate's name is held off the ballot
  • HB 232, Strengthen exclusive remedy laws in workers' compensation
  • SB 33, Revise disaster relief expenditure laws
  • SB 57, Adopt certain uniform laws commission language for military/overseas ballots
  • SB 99, Revise laws related to motor vehicle insurance verification
  • SB 132, Revise statutory dates related to filling mid-term county elected office (MACo Bill)
  • HB 371, Revise county public auction laws (MACo Bill)
  • HB 245, Authorize counties to dedicate park land
  • HB 325, Revising legal holiday laws (MACo Bill)
  • SB 252, Generally revise irrigation district laws related to elections
  • HB 367, Generally revise motor vehicle salvage title laws
  • HB 422, Generally revise junk vehicle program laws
  • SB 34, Create unclaimed life insurance benefits act
  • SB 40, Generally revising provisions governing subdivision review
  • SB 49, Revise laws regarding reporting to the legislative finance committee
  • SB 71, Code commissioner bill
  • SB 77, Revise public contract competitive bidding law - no bid required up to $80K
  • SB 145, Require all information on a concealed weapon permit application confidential
  • SB 146, Generally revise subdivision review criteria laws regarding agency comment
  • SB 225, Generally revise tow truck laws
  • HB 59, Revise title of governor's drought advisory committee
  • SB 35, Revise statutory requirements for notarization of certain documents
  • SB 55, Clarify coverage of routine costs for patients in approved clinical trials
  • HB 261, Revise unemployment insurance laws for business impacted by natural disaster
  • HB 89, Allow de minimus refund of abandoned property or closed estates
  • HB 82, Revise applicability of extraterritorial worker's compensation agreements
  • HB 252, Revise notary public journal storage to secretary of state's office
  • HB 142, Restore Dingell-Johnson fish restoration and management funding assent language
  • HB 47, Revise certain county budgeting deadlines
  • HB 169, Allow growth policy to be used for coordination
  • SB 65, Revise laws relating to confidentiality of child abuse and neglect reports
  • HB 77, Revise public assistance laws relating to counties
  • HB 148, Clarifying local government authority to regulate amateur radio operators
  • HB 152, Provide deadlines for governing bodies to review tax exemption applications
  • HB 192, Revise laws related to mobile home transfer and taxes (MACo Bill)
  • HB 193, Authorize interim appointments of county elected officials (MACo Bill)
  • HB 36, Remove statutory references to local government severance tax
  • HB 114, Clarify garbage types for animal feed
  • HB 202, Revise laws related to the deposit and investment of public money
  • SB 73, Repeal DARE program
  • SB 5, Clarify authority of local governments to store electronic documents off-site
  • SB 111, Revising the apportionment of certain highway construction funds
  • SB 141, Revise definitions for certain common carrier pipelines
  • HB 164, Revise when county commissioner district boundaries can be modified (MACo Bill)
  • HB 111, Repeal business equipment tax reduction for value-added manufacturing
  • SB 72, Revise the livestock per-capita assessment date (MACo Bill)
  • HB 53, Revise State Administration and Veteran Affairs statutory duties
  • HB 107, Revise laws related to legal counsel representation in abuse and neglect cases
  • HB 139, Update laws governing law enforcement communications system
  • SB 121, Generally revise laws related to contracts
  • SB 39, Eliminate DNRC report on wildland/urban interface designation
  • SB 30, Revise big sky trust fund wage rate laws
  • SB 16, Revise tax increment financing laws related to distribution
  • HB 21, Generally revise statutory appropriation laws
  • HB 35, Clarifying the laws related to property tax adjustments
  • HB 42, Revise laws related to destruction of property by minors

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Featured Content

MACo Health Care Trust's Health Care Reform Workshop

Venue/Location
Yogo Inn
211 East Main Street
Lewistown, MT 59457
Start Date
July 16, 2013
End Date
July 17, 2013
July 16-17, 2013
Event Time: 
12:30 pm
4 weeks 10 hours from now

Register  |  Agenda  |  Informational Flier

The Montana Association of Counties Health Care Trust presents, "What Montana Counties Need to Know About Health Care Reform & Employee Benefits."  Join us for this free and informative workshop focusing on Health Care Reform mandates that will  impact Montana County Employers plus other valuable guidance including how to “shop” for employee benefits and suggestions to curb renewal increases. The MACo Health Care Trust will also report on the financial health of the Trust and the unique advantages and stability of membership in a risk-sharing pool.

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Land Use Legislative Update & Subdivsion Training

Venue/Location
Yogo Inn
211 East Main Street
Lewistown, MT
Start Date
June 19, 2013
End Date
June 19, 2013
June 19, 2013
Event Time: 
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
1 day 7 hours from now

Registration  |  Agenda

Join MACo JPIA Land Use Attorneys, Tara DePuy and Susan B. Swimley, for a 2013 Land Use Legislative Update and Subdivision Training on Wednesday, June 19.  There will be no charge for this training; however, we ask that  you please register so that we have a headcount for those attending.

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Why Counties Matter

Counties provide the services on which people depend; they are the service arm of government services and provide the building blocks for healthy, resilient and fiscally sound communities.  Find out more about why counties matter, from providing simple services like flu shots to managing disasters in our communities.  Simply click on the video below for some quick education, or click here to download a PDF.

Order Your 2013 MACo Directory Here

Order Online  |  Download Directory Form

The 2013 Montana Association of Counties Directory of County Officials is available now.  The cost is just $15.00, and you can order your copy today by purchasing it online, calling our office, or filling out an order form and sending it to us!

Inmate Medical Program

Are inmate medical costs draining your county budgets?

MACo is proud to partner with NACo and Correctional Risk Services (CRS) to offer two programs to help Montana counties contain the costs of medical care for county inmates.  Enroll Today!

Current Issue of MACo News

June 2013

MACo News: Volume 42, No. 6

IN THIS ISSUE:  In this issue, read an article by MACo JPIA/MACo Land Use Attorney, Tara DePuy, that reviews new land use laws addressing the creation of buildings for lease or rent on tracts of land; learn more about the recently-updated administrative rules regarding surveys and plats;  find out more about an upcoming workshop on health care reform and employee benefits, presented by the MACo Health Care Trust; be "in the know" about what is occurring on the national level with news from NACo, and more!

Read This Issue

Recent County, State & National News

Interior Announces Nearly $400 Million in PILT Payments to Rural Communities for Police, Fire and Schools
June 13, 2013

Payments to Montana Counties  |  Full List of Funding by State

WASHINGTON, DC - Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today announced that about 1,900 local governments around the Nation are receiving a total of $399.8 million under the 2013 Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program.

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More News

Letter to USDA and OMB Regarding Sequestration of Secure Rural Schools Payments
Montana to Lose $2.5M in Federal Mineral Payments
2012 SRS Funding – USDA Wants Money Back

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NACo Prescription Discount Card Program - Learn More

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