The Lang Report

The 64th Montana Legislature is almost in the books. History will formulate the decisions that were made into a true factual scenarios.

I enjoyed the session. Yes there were long hours, steep learning curves, enduring decisions, and I supported and objected to bills that I feel are best for my constituents and Montana. Some have become law and many have not.

There were 1,187 bills introduced, 592 died in the Senate and/or the House. The Governor has had the final say on the remaining 595 bills.

I served on three House committees this session. In Business and Labor we heard 140 bills: 30 were tabled in committee, 14 died on the floor, 89 became law and seven were vetoed by the Governor.

I was chairman of Federal Relations, Energy and Telecommunication. We heard 42 bills: 12 were tabled, five died on the floor, 18 became law, five resolutions passed and two bills were vetoed.

In House Agriculture, Allan Redfield, who is formerly from Ophiem, is the chair of that committee. We heard testimony for 34 bills: five were tabled, four died on the floor, 24 became law and one was vetoed.

I personally want to thank all the constituents that contacted me before and during the season with their comments and concerns. It is good to know that so many are concerned. I especially want to thank Senator Brenden, SD 17 and Speaker Austin Knudsen, HD 34 for their leadership during the legislature and their dedication to Montana.

Representatives Bruce Meyers, HD 32, Bridget Smith, HD 31, Stephanie Hess, HD 28 and Senator Kris Hansen, SD 14, voted with the concerns of Northeastern Montana citizens.

The session saw many great ideas come forward. It depends on your point of view as to whether the results are favorable to you. Really it should be how things affect us all. We are all Montanan’s, but there are many different views on situations.

One of the best ideas put in play by the legislature in the 64th session is a plan to study “statuary appropriations.” These are tax revenues that are spent by statute or law. The amount available for discretionary spending (12-15 percent) is typically limited to the difference between incoming revenue and the ongoing cost of state government (85-88 percent). The legislature in theory, has the ability to appropriate funds, but funds are tied in many ways.

HB 2 provides spending direction to $10 billion biennium budget dollars. Forty-two percent is appropriated to Health and Human Services, of which 71 percent of the dollars go to Medicaid and Health Services; Twenty-six percent is for education, of which 74 percent of this is for K-12 and 24 percent is higher education; Nineteen percent goes to Natural Resources and Transportation, of which 75 percent is for DOT; Seven percent goes to Law and Justice, of which 56 percent of this is used for corrections; the remaining balance is six percent, which is expended by our government agencies. The overall spending in HB2, includes a 3 percent annual growth in spending, with some departments getting more and some less.

Medicaid expansion, HB 405, has been initiated. I would have preferred to go a little slower and step into ankle deep water and cover 15,000 citizens in need. However, we wholly jumped into the medicaid pool. We are there now and must work the program through and make it work for all of Montanans.

We passed $100 million on infrastructure. Senator Brenden and Speaker Knudsen spent many hours working towards infrastructure. HB 402 by Knudsen was tabled early and then he pushed for SB 416 by Brenden. The fact is we could not get these bills passed. They would have added more infrastructure for our area.

HB 356, put $1million into enhancement of career and vocational/technical high school education. It is a great plan to give students a look into potential careers earlier in their education process. I hope our local schools use this program.

I was very involved in or carried, in a committee or the House floor, the following legislation: HJ 11, resolution for Montana to support the Keystone Pipeline. HB 188 will define responsibilities for range fire damage, will help local Rural Electrical Cooperatives; HB 578 will include the NE Montana Veteran Memorial on official state maps. HB 414 will reduce costs on temporary worker vehicle license plates. HB 206 is a small change to make MT grazing districts more efficient. HB 390 will clarify code on formation of agricultural advisory committees; HB 61, revises outdated railroad law in Public Service Commission code; SB 193, reorganizes State liquor store commissions; SB 181, puts board of outfitters' approval in front of Senate for confirmation; SB 368, transparency program for pipelines in Montana; SB 393, electronic driver license renewal, should help local people, not electronically inclined, get more personal service. SB 176 concerns State Soil, Scobey Series. SB 232 covers Supreme Court decisions on stream access into code.

SB 261 addresses the management of sage grouse. I have concerns and will fight for keeping the agriculture and natural resources industries functioning with minimal effect from the USFW. We hope that this bill will help direct the BLM resource management plans.

I will be serving on the Sage Grouse and the Economic Affairs Committees. Please contact me at [email protected] or 406-654-7357 with your concerns. I appreciate your support and respect your involvement.

I again want to thank Senator Brenden for his dedicated service to Montana and especially, Eastern Montana. A special thanks to his wife Carol, also.

Term limits will keep the Senator from participating in the next election. I wish to serve the citizens of SD 17 and will be pursuing your votes and support for this position.

Thank you, God Bless America, Montana, you and your families.