Dear Colleagues,
We’ve concluded the first month of the 68th legislative session. The week of February 6 will be a busy week for the State Library. We look forward to our budget hearing with the Education Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday, February 7, at 8:30 a.m. If you plan to join us in person, the hearing will be held in room 472 in the Capitol. For anyone desiring to provide testimony via Zoom, you may register online at: - Montana State Legislature (mt.gov). The bill number is HB 2 General Appropriations Act. Finally, you may always watch the hearing online at: Montana Legislature (sliq.net).
I also hope many of you plan to join the Montana Library Association, the Trust for Montana Libraries, and the Montana State Library at Library Legislative Night in the Capitol Rotunda beginning at 5:00 pm the evening of February 7.
On Wednesday, the State Library Commission will meet at the State Library for their regular February business meeting at 9:30 a.m. That meeting is also available via Zoom. For more information visit the Commission website: Montana State Library Commission (mt.gov).
Regarding legislative action:
We anticipate floor action on House Bill 91, state aid reauthorization, early next week.
Senate Bill 60, establishing the RTN enterprise fund, passed 2nd reading by a vote of 47-1 and was heard by Senate Finance and Claims yesterday afternoon. We anticipate Executive Action from that committee next week as well.
House Bill 343, Generally revise library geospatial and natural resource information laws, was heard by the House Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday. Lt. Governor Juras offered proponent testimony. We are grateful to Committee members for their numerous compliments for the work of the State Library GIS program. It’s worth a listen: Montana Legislature (sliq.net)
We are awaiting further recommendations from OPI regarding their legislative priorities involving school district elections.
An updated summary of the bills we are actively following is below:
HB 2: General Appropriations Act
State Library Budget Hearing February 7, 2023
State Library Position: Support
MLA Position: N/A
MAGIP Position: N/A
HB 4: Appropriations by budget amendment
Heard January 3, 2023, awaiting executive action
State Library Position: Support
MLA Position: N/A
MAGIP Position: N/A
HB 13: State Employee Pay Plan and revising laws governing state employees
Passed by House Appropriations, awaiting 2nd reading
State Library Position: Support
MLA Position: N/A
MAGIP Position: N/A
HB 91: Revise laws related to public library state aid
Amended in House Approps, awaiting House floor action
State Library Position: Support
MLA Position: Support
MAGIP Position: N/A
SB60: Establish enterprise fund for Montana spatial real time network
Heard in (S) Finance and Claims, awaiting executive action
State Library Position: Support
MLA Position: N/A
MAGIP Position: Support
HB 343 Generally revise library geospatial and natural resource information laws
Heard in (H) Natural Resources, awaiting executive action
State Library Position: Support
MLA Position: N/A
MAGIP Position: Support
Other bills impact libraries though the State Library is not involved:
HB 206: Generally revise mill levy election laws
Tabled in Committee (likely dead)
State Library Position: N/A
MLA Position: Oppose
MAGIP Position: N/A
HB 234: Revise dissemination of obscene material to minors laws
Amended in (H) Judiciary to reinstate exemption for libraries and museums, awaiting 2nd reading
State Library Position: N/A
MLA Position: Oppose
MAGIP Position: N/A
SB 125: Limit certain property tax levies to 5 years without reapproval
Heard in (S) Taxation, awaiting executive action
State Library Position: N/A
MLA Position: Oppose
MAGIP Position: N/A
SB251: Sunset or reapprove existing voter-approved property tax levies
Referred to (S) Taxation
State Library Position: N/A
MLA Position: Oppose
MAGIP Position: N/A
*Montana Library Association
** Montana Association of Geographic Information Professionals
There a several more bill draft titles that we are monitoring and, as we work with legislators, and as language becomes available, we will coordinate with the Governor’s Office and stakeholders to determine a position or whether the State Library should provide additional information.
Have a great week,
Jennie
Jennie Stapp (she/her), State Librarian
jstapp2@mt.gov
406.444.3116
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