State Legislature 2024: SD24-Mike Yakawich (R) - Billings Chamber of Commerce

What are your three most important policy priorities? What do you hope the impact of implementing these policies will be?

Behavioral Health: Already working on these as I am on the HB872 Commission

Long Term Care for the Elderly: Already working on these as I am on the Human Service Interim Committee

Public Safety/Prison Reform: As I provided one bill regarding Pre-release, I am working on a few other aspects of helping people who get out of prison be successful in their transition. I also had a bill on addressing those who have committed a crime but found innocent due to mental illness.

In a recent survey of our members, an overwhelming portion of respondents (96%) agreed or strongly agreed with the statement: “Reducing the cost of doing business in Montana generally benefits all Montanans.” What do you hope the Legislature will do to reduce the cost of doing business in Montana?

I would like to work with local government committee on addressing fees and other construction factors to find ways to reduce rates and find a smoother process to reduce cost. Also reduce taxes on equipment and provide tax credits for those seeking to do business in Montana.

In our recent survey, public safety was identified as the number one policy issue for our members. During the 2023 Session, important bills to update the antiquated Youth Court Act and revise theft laws both narrowly failed. We expect those and other safety bills to come up during the 2025 Session. What legislative changes would you suggest to address safety issues in Billings and around the state?

As a candidate as well as an elected official we should strive to do our best to address public safety whether we can implement policies or not.

I am the founder of the 25^th Annual March Against Drugs and Violence which addresses public safety, substance abuse prevention and violence impacting over 300 people each year.

I am involved in the Suicide Prevention Coalition and Yellowstone Behavioral Health Committee again addressing public safety by promoting public behavioral health.

I will continue to support bills that help support the Youth Court Act and revise theft laws. I am also very supportive of the world of CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) that the Chamber and Downtown Billings Association has worked hard at.

Last session, the Montana Legislature passed numerous bipartisan housing bills, reforming onerous regulations that restrict housing supply and appropriating an historic amount of funding for housing. Considering how much was accomplished, it was dubbed the “Montana Miracle.” However, the work is not done, and more recommendations are coming forward from the Governor’s Housing Task Force. Which recommendations to add housing supply and make housing more affordable will you consider supporting?

I will support the Gov. Housing Task Force as for example ideas that came out of the Task force:

https://deq.mt.gov/about/Housing-Task-Force

Here are some ideas I found that seem plausible. Of course, it is always good to know what your organization thinks are good ideas as well.

creating a self-certification program to speed permit approvals.
recommended localities add more zoning for new mobile and manufactured home parks, saying it’s a way to promote affordable housing options in the state.
recommendation was for municipalities to reduce or eliminate parking requirements for new construction
recommendation was for the legislature to allocate money to the Housing Montana Fund and the Affordable Housing Revolving Loan Fund run by the Montana Board of Housing
put funding into existing projects, recommending allocating $50 million from the state’s coal trust to reauthorize the Coal Trust Multifamily Homes program, as well as remove the requirement that properties funded by the program must pay property taxes

Over the last two sessions, the Montana Legislature took significant steps to reduce the business equipment tax, relieving 502 Yellowstone County businesses from the burden of paying this tax. Would you be supportive of further reductions, allowing even more businesses to keep more of their hard-earned dollars?

Yes

Reauthorizing Medicaid Expansion will be a major topic of debate in the upcoming session. Originally passed in 2015, the program provides significant benefits to Yellowstone County, creating over 1,500 jobs and providing healthcare coverage to approximately 10% of our local workforce. Are you supportive of reauthorization? With changes? Not at all?

Yes

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is consistently a topic at the Legislature, with supporters arguing it is one of the only economic development tools available to local communities in Montana, while some opponents contend it should be eliminated. The Billings Chamber has long been a strong supporter but acknowledges there could be room for improvement. What are your thoughts on TIF?

I have attended SBURA and EBURA on a regular basis over many years. I support TIF and have seen its good results in our community.

In city council, I strongly supported and defended the work of TIF areas. We have seen great results in Billings through TIF.

Considering the concern over recent property tax increases, the Governor established a Property Tax Task Force to offer recommendations for dealing with increasing property taxes. Which of the 12 recommendations, or other solutions, would you support to address property tax concerns?

From what I have read so far from the Gov. suggestions, I would support these:

ensure lower-income Montana homeowners, Montana homeowners who are on a fixed income, and disabled Montana veterans or their surviving spouse are not at risk of losing their home because of property taxes.
arrest the rate of growth of property taxes, including assessments and fees, as well as alleviate the impact of drastic increases of property reappraisals;
increase transparency of property tax bills, make them easier to understand for property taxpayers, and improve customer service in the payment schedules for property taxpayers;
increase transparency of and public engagement in public budgeting;
increase public participation for mill levy ballot measures;
ensure property taxes paid by Montana resident homeowners and on Montana long-term rentals reflect well on supporting homeownership and workforce housing;