2009 Legislative Session: Week 2 (Part II)

January 14, 2009 in 2008 Local Election, Montana

by jhwygirl

For Monday – Wednesday, check out Part I.

This post includes Thursday and Friday’s schedule.

I’d like to note, those who are reading this, that if you are going to submit public comment using the staffers email address I’m providing, please be clear in noting that you are submitting public comment, and request that it be provided to all committee members.

The House has several committee hearings that are of interest on Thursday:

Representative Deborah Kottel, of Great Falls, has two bills in the House Judiciary Committee that would be of interest to many here in Missoula. HB188 and HB189 both provide for better protections in interactions between tenants and landlords. HB188 increases the maximum penalty for disputes regarding unlawful witholding of security deposits. HB189 requires the landlord to provide a written copy of the rental agreement upon request and – I know this is an issue here in Missoula – obligates the landlord to ensure that the rental unit has the ability to be heated to a minimum of 70 degrees. David Niss is the staffer for the House Judiciary Committee – and his email is dniss@mt.gov.

Another one geared towards consumer protection is Representative Shannon Augare’s HB159, which requires insurers of property and casualty property to submit actuarial opinion summaries (which would be available for consumer review), along with supporting documentation. Insurers insure based not only on risk assessment, but investments. Actuarial information is the information showing their financial health – or ability to financially handle the risk they’ve taken. This is in House Business & Labor, Bart Campbell the staffer: bcampbell@mt.gov.

HB202, proposed by Representative Mike Miller of Helmville, would give a tax credit for premiums paid for long-term care insurance. That’s in the Taxation Committee – Jeff Martin, staffer, jmartin@mt.gov.

On Friday, Missoula’s Representative Robin Hamilton has HB195 up for hearing in the House Business & Labor Committee. It allows for unsuccessful lottery applicants to be given preference in future lotteries. This one is in Business & Labor, too – Bart Campbell the staffer: bcampbell@mt.gov.

Representative Julie French is looking for support of HB29, which would increase funding for senior and disabled transportation. We like Julie – she’s a get-’er-done woman, especially when it comes to healthcare and veteran’s issues. This one is in Human Services, where Sue O’Connell is the staffer: soconnell@mt.gov.

In the Senate, on Friday, we’ve got Senator David Wanzenried requesting a study of the state’s student loan system with SJ9. Wanzenried has sponsored this bill out of concerns with availability of guaranteed student loan funds for Montana’s students due to failures in the U.S. financial systems. If approved, the bill would result in a report being presented to the next legislature. This one is in the Education and Cultural Resources committee – Casey Barrs the staffer, cbarrs@mt.gov.

Again – if there’s something that interests you or one that you feel deserves notice or discussion, feel free to bring it to our attention.