To Senate District 117

To Senate District 117

We just completed our 30th day in this 68th Montana Legislature.

The halls continue to be full of lobbyists and Montana citizens. Committee bills are still being processed in both the House and the Senate. With the budget surplus, we plan to improve Montana's education, economy, rule of law, and tax policies.

Regarding District 17, here are some specific bills that could enhance our way of life. Senator Kenneth Bogner is sponsoring Senate Bill 203, which is an act revising the law for the transfer of critical infrastructure and agricultural land; prohibiting the sale, lease, or rental of critical infrastructure or land used for agricultural production to foreign adversaries or corporations domiciled in foreign adversary nations.

SB 85, an act amending the policy of the state to ensure the department of fish, wildlife, and parks manages grizzly bear populations at levels to maintain their delisted status, has been passed through Senate.

SB 280, a bill revising bird dog rules, will put the burden on MT Fish and Game Commission to set rules and seasons in hunting districts on commercial bird dog licenses. They will be able to do single or multiple district closures if needed.

As a member of sub-section F, long-range planning, I have reviewed many projects for historic, irrigation, and rural water and these can be followed at https://leg.mt.gov/content/Publications/fiscal/FR-2023/Sec-F/Long-Range.pdf

These are some of the bills that will have a positive influence in Eastern Montana, especially for SD-17. My objective remains to be promoting local business, natural resources, and agriculture.

Senate Ag Committee has confirmed, Christy Clark from Choteau as Director Of the MT Department of Agriculture; Jim Schillinger, Circle to the hail insurance board; Greg Carlson, Lewistown, Jeanne Rankin, Raynsford and Marcia Cantrell, Livingston have been confirmed to Veterinary Board of Medicine.

We are one-third way into the session. Moving bills and dollars to take care of the needs. Section F has many infrastructure projects to fund. When we settle on the needs, they do not align with all the opinions, we will debate the issue of who wants what.

You can go to: https://leg.mt.gov/ and there you can watch and listen to committees either live or archived.

The best way to reach me is text to 406-654-7357 or email [email protected].

Gratefully,

Senator Mike Lang,