SB 250 - Fighting for Consumers
BySB 250, sponsored by Senator Dave Wanzenried was heard Monday before the House Judiciary committee. SB 250, titled “Strengthen Protection Against Counterfeit Marks or Logos” will protect business and consumers from counterfeit production of commercial products for sale here in Montana.
According to Senator Wanzenried, “Often times consumers have no idea that they are purchasing counterfeit products, and these proposed rules follow suit with many similar laws across the nation.”
Counterfeit production of consumer materials is far more complex than meets the eye. Ranging from trademarked products to of course, dollar bills, when offenders’ replicate legally produced items both business and consumers suffer.
Proponents of SB 250 were numerous and encompassed business interests, consumer protection groups and student associations. 40 states currently have laws in place to protect against counterfeit production, a negative trend that costs the nation billions annually and Montana, specifically, millions of dollars every year. SB 250 passed in the Senate 48 to 1, and once the House takes up the bill we’ll update the site.
"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.” 