State Director Ronda Wiggers reports from Helena on the small-business agenda for the legislative and political week ending April 2

There really is not too much to report this week.  It was a short week, due to the Easter break, and next week will only be four days as well. The focus has been getting every revenue and appropriation bill heard in committee last week. This coming week will be getting them all across the floor, as the transmittal deadline is Thursday.

The Senate Finance & Claims Committee put its touch on House Bill 2 – the state budget –  last week and it will be debated on the Senate floor on Thursday.  Due to the lengthy floor sessions, there are almost no hearings scheduled for the coming week.

Sen. Greg Hertz’s bill on behalf of the CPA’s – Senate Bill 399 – to revise and simplify Montana income tax law has passed the Senate Taxation Committee.  This is a bill that NFIB supports because it greatly simplifies the Montana return – basing it on the federal – and lowers the tax rate as well. It works with Gov. Greg Gianforte’s overall tax package too!

Next week NFIB will wrap up what we have left to work on and then we will begin the countdown to Sine Die!

Previous Reports and Related News

• March 26—House Passes State Budget, Turns Attention to Marijuana

• March 19—Governor’s Tax Package on Hold Over Federal Funds Requirements

• March 12—Bill Reducing Business Equipment Tax Cruising to Passage, Signing

• March 5—Montana Legislature Passes Half-Way Point of 2021 Session

• February 19—Governor’s Tax Relief Package Advances in the Legislature

• February 12—Victory! NFIB Helps Win Liability Protection for Small Businesses

• February 5—Legislature Sends Governor His Requested Liability Protection Bill

• February 4— Comment on Latest COVID-19 Poll of Small Business Owners

• February 1— Governor Releases ‘Montana Comeback Plan’ – NFIB-backed Liability Protection Bill Advances

• January 23— COVID Liability Protection Bill Passes Senate—Computer Glitch Slows Legislative Pace

• January 16—Montana Legislature Slows Pace of Bill Introductions from Last Year’s

• January 10—NFIB Testifies in Favor of Liability Protection Bill

• January 10—Legislature Begins its Work, Capitol Open for Business