Here's a look at the hearing highlights this week at the Capitol:
Stream access: On Tuesday, the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee hears House Bill 190, considered the session's major bill that would clarify how recreationists can have access to streams from public roads and bridges. Rep. Kendall Van Dyk, D-Billings, is the sponsor. Room 303, 3 p.m. (See related story, Page B1.)
Voting: HB88, sponsored by Rep. Ted Washburn, R-Bozeman, would eliminate same-day voter registration, instead making the Friday before the election the last day for voter-registration. The bill will be heard Tuesday before the House State Administration Committee at 8 a.m. in Room 455.
The same committee on Wednesday will hear HB18, which would create a pilot project in 17 counties to hold all elections by mail ballot. Rep. Pat Ingraham, R-Thompson Falls, is the sponsor. Room 455, 8 a.m.
Health care and health insurance: On Monday and Wednesday, the Senate Public Health Committee will hold special hearings on the high cost of health care and health insurance. Sen. Roy Brown, R-Billings, who chairs the panel, has invited top health industry and public officials in Montana to explain what they're doing to make health care more affordable. Room 317, 3 p.m.
The same committee on Friday will hear Senate Bill 44, which would create a permanent Health Policy Council within the Legislature to examine health policy and suggest changes to make health care more available and affordable. Rep. Ken Hansen, D-Harlem, is the sponsor. Room 317, 3 p.m.
Also on Friday, the Senate Business and Labor Committee will hear SB135, which makes some changes to Insure Montana, the program that provides subsidies and tax credits for small businesses that provide health insurance for their workers. Sen. Cliff Larsen, D-Missoula, is the sponsor. Room 422, 9 a.m.
On Monday, the House Health and Human Services Committee will hear House Joint Resolution, which says the state should study whether a quasi-public managed-care entity should run public mental health services in Montana. Rep. Teresa Henry, D-Missoula, is the sponsor. Room 152, 3 p.m.
Landlord/tenant: Rep. Deb Kottel, D-Great Falls, is presenting several bills this week to revise landlord-tenant laws. Her HB189 would require landlords to provide written lease agreements when requested to do so and define what it means to provide “reasonable heat”; her HB188 allows tenants to be awarded up to three months' rent if a landlord wrongfully withholds a deposit. House Judiciary Committee, Thursday, Room 137, 8 a.m.
Education boards: Sen. Dan McGee, R-Laurel, is sponsoring SB80, which says voters should elect the state Board of Regents that governs the state university system, and SB81, which says voters also should elect the state Board of Public Education that governs public school standards. Both bodies are now appointed by the governor. The bills will be heard Monday before the Senate Education Committee, Room 303, 3 p.m.
Carbon sequestration: Sen. Ron Erickson, D-Missoula, on Thursday will present SB66, which authorizes state boards to start setting rules for storing carbon-dioxide underground, to help mitigate climate change. Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, Room 317A, 3 p.m.
Bikes and buses: Under HB68 sponsored by Rep. Robin Hamilton, D-Missoula, bicycle riders would not have to stop at stop signs as long as they slow down and yield the right of way to other vehicles. It will be heard Monday before the House Transportation Committee, Room 455, 3 p.m.
At the Senate Local Government Committee on Monday, Erickson will present SB9, which allows local governments to use revenue bonds to finance public transportation systems. It also says motor vehicle fuel taxes can be used to pay off the bonds. Room 405, 3 p.m.
|
 |
 |
Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)