Archive for Committees
SB 221 - Addressing Animal Cruelty
Posted by:SB 221, sponsored by Senator Mitch Tropila (D-Great Falls) was heard Thursday before the House Judiciary committee. SB 221, titled “Revise Laws Related to Animal Cruelty Re: Animal Hoarding” aims to include mental evaluations into cruelty offenses for those charged with hoarding animals, in addition to increased criminal penalties related to the offense. Read More→
Addressing animal hoarding
Posted by:
By Richard Ecke, Great Falls Tribune
A bill to limit hoarding of animals in Montana drew praise and concern Thursday during a three-hour House Judiciary Committee hearing.
The bill’s main sponsor, Sen. Mitch Tropila, D-Great Falls, said the new law would get animal hoarders mental health help, and might help authorities intervene sooner than under existing animal cruelty laws.
Tropila said cruelty cases involving large numbers of animals sometimes can cost communities hundreds of thousands of dollars to prosecute the offender and care for seized animals. Read More→
Bridge access bill near compromise
Posted by:By Charles S. Johnson, State Bureau
Opponents of a bridge access bill raised some concerns at a Senate hearing Thursday, but the bill’s sponsor said he’s confident these differences can be ironed out.
Twenty-five people representing groups ranging from the Montana Wildlife Federation and Trout Unlimited to the Montana Farm Bureau Federation and Farmers Union lined up for House Bill 190, by Rep. Kendall Van Dyk, D-Billings, before the Senate Fish and Game Committee. Attorney General Steve Bullock also endorsed it. Read More→
Tax credit for working poor gains House’s OK
Posted by:By CHARLES S. JOHNSON
With bipartisan support, the Montana House Wednesday tentatively approved a tax credit aimed at poor, working families. It marks the first time a bill providing a state earned income tax credit has passed a Montana legislative chamber.
House Bill 360, by Rep. Mary Caferro, D-Helena, won debate-stage approval by 65-35. It was sent to the House Appropriations Committee for review because of its estimated cost of $27.5 million a year, starting in fiscal 2010. Caferro pegged the cost at $24 million. Read More→
SB 447 and SJ 29 - focusing on DNA Evidence
Posted by:SB 447, sponsored by Senator Lynda Moss (D-Billings) was heard on Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee. SB 447, titled “Clarify Preservation of DNA in Felony Cases” makes relatively minor, though significant improvements to existing state law by ensuring that DNA evidence is retained for greater lengths of time in criminal investigations. Read More→
"I think that it’s going to all work out, with the changes that we have agreed to. It’s not as much (spending for some programs) as I would’ve hoped, but apparently it’s more than other people wanted. As usual, we are trying to find the middle.” 
"[On term limits:] You empower the executive, you empower the lobbyists and that's not good for the system because then we lose what the citizen Legislature brings.” 