Week four of the 68th Montana Legislature was spent working to accomplish the peoples’ business and saw many bills continue their journey. Here is what the Montana Farm Bureau Federation’s (MFBF) grassroots policy supported this week.
Longtime friend and member of MFBF, Christy Clark, was confirmed by the Senate Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Committee to serve as director for the Department of Agriculture (DOA). Her confirmation will now move to the Senate floor for a full confirmation vote. Clark, who Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) appointed last January, has served the DOA since 2015 in a variety of roles, such as deputy director, agricultural science administrator and interim director, and has done a fantastic job of running the DOA, highlighting important programs for agriculture. The MFBF looks forward to continuing to work alongside her for the betterment of Montana’s farmers and ranchers.
Several bills supported by MFBF advanced through the legislature, some without any opposition. House Bill (HB) 212 increases the business equipment tax exemptions from $300,000 to $1 million and was sponsored by Rep. Josh Kassmier (R-27). The bill passed through the House Taxation Committee with no opposition, bringing this important legislation one step closer to helping small businesses acquire more or better equipment.
Following its passage out of the Taxation Committee, the bill was referred to the House Appropriations Committee, where MFBF and many other business groups supported it in a hearing. In the Appropriations Committee, the fiscal impact of the legislation was considered. After further vetting, MFBF expects it to continue its advancement through the process.
Other bills that advanced included HB 245, Revise tax credit for trades education and training, sponsored by Rep. Sue Vinton (R-56). With around one-quarter of farms and ranches in Montana hiring out-of-family labor, the tax credit provided by HB 245 gives these farms and ranches a great incentive to provide training and education to those workers while bringing in more jobs to rural communities.
Senate Bill 58, Increase landowner payment cap for block management, sponsored by Sen. Steve Hinebauch (R-18), also advanced. With a proud heritage of hunting in Montana, SB 58 is set to continue to support that history by doubling the block management program cap from $25,000 to $50,000, giving landowners more incentive to provide sportsmen access to hunting land. SB 58 passed through the Senate Finance and Claims Committee without any opposition.
Week four saw the first of what MFBF expects could be several pieces of legislation regarding foreign ownership of agricultural land. SB 203, Revise law for transfer of critical infrastructure and agricultural land, sponsored by Sen. Kenneth Bogner (R-19), prevents an entity from selling, leasing or renting agricultural land to a “foreign adversary.” This year, several MFBF members shared their concerns over agricultural land being bought by foreign governments, particularly those with strained relations with the U.S. MFBF supports this bill, as it fits within its grassroots policy and represents its membership’s concern over the ownership of agricultural land by an adversary foreign government. — MFBF
