Legislature has completed 32 days of the 90-day session
State Director Riley Johnson reports from Helena on the legislative week ending February 15
Eight pieces of proposed legislation that NFIB had targeted for defeat in committee action have been tabled or received a “do not pass” vote going into the final week time period for introducing new bills.
Generally, bills are what they call in the Capitol Building “killed,” meaning they will not get a floor vote of the entire House of Representatives unless blasted out of the committee by majority vote of the House.
Local Option Sales Tax Measure Defeated
House Bill 194 received a “do not pass” vote February 15. This was a local option sales tax on lodging, campgrounds, and rental cars, the money from which was to support varies social services, like low-cost housing, public safety, and bonds for local city and county infrastructure projects.
HB 194 had a hearing on February 12. The bill was moved in executive action to a “do not pass” motion and received a “yes” vote of 11-7. This bill was sponsored by Rep. Mary Ann Dunwell (D) of Helena.
Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Tabled
House Bill 208 had its hearing February 11 and was tabled in the House Tax Committee February 15. This bill would have created a Montana Family and Medical Leave Insurance act that was to be paid for by both employers and employees via payroll deduction. This bill was sponsored by Rep. Moffe Funk (D) or Helena.
Other NFIB-targeted bills that were tabled in the prior week included:
- HB 165 that would phase out the use of Styrofoam containers in food establishments.
- HB 195 that would have created a local option sales tax on luxury items like restaurants, gift shops, rental cars, and bars to fund local city and county infrastructure projects.
- HB 313 would have allowed injured workers to choose their own treating physicians in a workers’ compensation insurance claim.
- HB 345 would have raised the minimum wage to $12 per hour immediately, and then again to $15 per hour in 2020, and it would have continued the current annual inflation increase in minimum wages after the 2020 increase.
- SB 120 would have limited the use of plastic straws in all food and drink establishments.
- SB 121 would have made customers pay up to 4cents per disposable bag they used for taking goods from any store.
NFIB-Monitored Bills Tabled
Two bills NFIB was keeping an eye on are effectively dead for the year. They are Senate Bill 208 by Sen. Tom Jacobson (D) of Great Falls that would have given a tax credit to employers who contributed to an employee’s student loan debt. The other measure, by Sen. Mike Cuffe (R) of Eureka, would have increased the time a contractor or subcontractor had to file a lien on unpaid materials and services from 20 days to 60 days.
NFIB-Supported Bills Still Alive
- House Bill 148 would require a two-thirds vote of both houses to pass any new tax or fee, or raise any tax or fee. A hearing on the measure was held on Thursday, February 14. NFIB supports this bill and has it as a “key vote” for the organization.
- Senate Bill 233 by Sen. Terry Gauthier (R) of Helena would create a state small-business retirement program, much like the current 529 program for higher education savings. It was heard today, February 15, and no action has taken place.
Measures NFIB is Monitoring
- Senate Bill 168 prohibits on early hiring applications asking for any information on criminal history or incarcerations, except for employment of criminal positions like police and investigatory positions. Use of this information can be asked after the initial application. This bill passed the Senate February 15 on a 27-21 vote on the third and final vote. It now is headed to the House of Representatives for action.
- Also in limbo are two bills on the state workers’ compensation insurance program. These bills are SB 214 and SB 234. Both bills would give the option to Montana state government to use the Montana State Fund (MSF) as its workers’ compensation carrier, or to seek coverage from a private insurance carrier. Currently, all state employees are required to use the MSF program only. However, SB 214 also makes three of the seven board of MSF be elected by the policyholders. Currently, all seven board members are appointed by the governor. No action has taken place on either of these bills, but they have had hearings.
The Week Ahead
- House Bill 448 has its first hearing on Tuesday, February 19, in the House Business Committee at 8:30 am in Room 172 of the Capitol Building. This bill would require employers to give at least two hours off work on Election Day to vote. This bill is sponsored by Rep. Moffie Funk (D) of Helena.
- House Bill 460 would require employers to give employees who are veterans to have Veteran’s Day off work. The employee can be either paid or unpaid by the employer, and the employee must give a 30-day notice that he or she will be taking that day off of work. This bill will be heard in the House Business Committee on Wednesday, February 20, at 8:30 am in Room 172 of the Capitol Building. The sponsor of HB 460 is Rep. Daniel Zolnikov (R) of Billings.
With deadlines for passing and voting on bills begin meeting the crunch time of the 66th legislative session, the halls of the Capitol Building will see many late evenings of working lawmakers.
Get Involved
Getting involved in the 2019 Legislature is easy. The best way to have your voice heard quickly is to phone 406-444-4800. Operators are on hand in the Capitol Building to take messages for up to five legislators on each call, and delivery is within a half hour. For those wanting more information on locating legislators, getting a personal e-mail address, looking to view committee meetings and floor sessions on television or over computers, and just to review all hearings and reading of the actual bills can go to www.leg.mt.gov and access everything electronically.
Previous Reports From the Capitol
February 8—Will Senate Follow House Passage of Two-Thirds Vote Requirement on Taxes?
February 1—Bill Calling for a State Sales Tax up for a Hearing, Wednesday
January 25—Plastic Straws, Styrofoam Containers, Carry-Out Bags in Legislative Crosshairs
January 23—Poll Result Show Support for Teaching Trades, Technology
January 18—Second Week of Session Draws Small Businesses’ Attention to 10 Bills
January 13—Montana State Legislature Opens its 2019 Session
[Photo courtesy of the Montana State Legislature website.]
