Montana Legislative Update Week 2 - 01/11/21 - Billings Chamber of Commerce

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE // week two

// WELCOME

Welcome to the first edition of our weekly Legislative Update. Throughout the 2021 Legislative Session we’ll keep you informed on what is going on in the upcoming week. You’ll get information on:

Major topics of interest
Upcoming bills we’re watching
Schedule of upcoming videoconferences
How you can testify remotely
Additional resources and info

We know you’re busy with your business and don’t have time to track everything that’s going on in Helena. This newsletter is a great quick reference to keep you up to date.

// GOVERNOR UNVEILS BUDGET PROPOSAL

Last week, Governor Gianforte debuted his budget proposal. It provides an outline of priorities that goes to the legislature for consideration, debate, and passage before returning to the governor’s desk in the form of enrolled bills awaiting his signature. Coming in at $100 million less than Governor Bullock’s previous proposal, it helps to address an issue we all knew was coming as a consequence of Covid–a reduced budget.

The four key points of focus for the governor’s budget are: tax relief, trades education, teacher pay, and substance abuse treatment–each an area our business community is interested in. Below are some of the highlights:

Reduces the top marginal income tax rate from 6.9% to 6.75%.
Approximately 4,000 businesses will not have to pay business equipment tax with a proposed raise to the exemption threshold.
Nearly a half billion dollars is proposed to go toward infrastructure.
Revenue from cannabis sales and a tobacco settlement, expected to total $23.5 million, will go to substance abuse treatment.

// WORKING FOR YOU

This bill provides liability protections for businesses and organizations that make a good faith effort to protect employees and customers from contracting Covid-19. Our businesses have already done a great job of adapting to the pandemic and trying to do the right thing. SB 65 adds a layer of protection for those businesses doing their best to abide by public guidelines. Passing this legislation is also one of the Governor’s requirements to lifting the mask mandate. On January 8th, the Billings Chamber testified in favor of SB 65.

If you’re hoping this bill has anything to do with bettering your odds of a jackpot, you’ll be disappointed. This bill is about reducing the cost of doing business in Montana. For businesses in the gaming industry, current law requires prior approval from the Department of Justice before a change in ownership interests, even if the owners remain the same. This bill eliminates the need for existing owners to get prior approval from the state to adjust ownership interests, reducing their cost of doing business. On January 7th, the Billings Chamber testified in favor of SB 49.

This bill would raise the threshold necessary for voted mill levies from a majority to a supermajority of two-thirds of voters. If this were the case in Yellowstone County, we would have only passed one mill levy–city, county, or school district–in the last decade. That means the 2017 County Public Safety Mill Levy, and all the elementary and high school mill levies would have failed. We appreciate the the sponsor’s intent with part of this bill to add information to a ballot for voters, but requiring a supermajority vote for passage of mill levies severely limits the ability to fund necessary operations. On January 13th, the bill will be heard in House State Administration.

// LEGISLATIVE VIDEOCONFERENCES

In partnership with MSU Billings, the Billings Chamber will hold seven Legislative Videoconferences connecting local residents with legislators in Helena throughout the 2021 Legislative Session. Our events generally draw about 25 people in attendance at MSU Billings and 10 legislators from the Billings area participate in Helena.

These hour-long sessions allow Billings residents to get some facetime with elected officials and gives our legislators an opportunity to discuss their priorities. The meetings run from noon to 1:00 at the College of Business MacDonald Hall, room 163 at MSU Billings. If you’d rather participate virtually, we’ll provide a Zoom link in the coming weeks.

// VIRTUAL TESTIMONY MAKES IT EASY

Due to Covid-19, the session is functioning a little different this year, with the addition of virtual participation by the public. While Montanans would rather meet face-to-face, the inclusion of a virtual option makes it much easier for Billings and eastern Montana residents to participate in the process without making long drives and taking time away from work.

When you log onto the Zoom meeting, your camera and audio will be turned off. Once the chair calls for proponent and opponent testimony, you can click the “Raise Hand” button and wait for staff to turn your audio on. At which point you can give your testimony. Be sure to stick around in case members of the committee have questions for you.