Letter: Four weeks into the legislative session

Week four of the 68th Legislative Session wrapped up on Friday, Jan. 27. Since my move from the House to the Senate, I've been assigned to the Senate Taxation, the Public Health Welfare and Safety, and the Highways and Transportation Committees. Aside from the committee work, I'm working on a couple of SD 40 constituent-requested bills that are winding their way through the legislative process. 

As some of you already know, I am currently working on SB 159, an act to remove the authority to exercise eminent domain by counties for public recreational or cultural purposes, and by the Land Board to designate natural areas. This bill, requested by one of our SD 40 neighbors, is co-sponsored by 30 fellow legislators. SB 159 will prohibit eminent domain for uses whose primary purposes is a trail, a path, or a connecting trail or path. Eminent domain has been an ongoing issue here in Montana for several years now, historically most often applied for essential public utilities serving the public-at-large. We're working on getting this bill passed to limit the government's "non-essential" access to our private land. This bill does not prohibit private negotiations for designation for recreational purposes. SB 159 has been transmitted to the House. 

Senate Bill 132, Revising Ag Education Laws, exemplifies a collaborative effort between the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI), the Montana Department of Livestock and other supporting state agencies, and is co-sponsored by eleven legislators. This bill will revise the funding distribution to advance agricultural education in high school programs. Specifically, this bill will provide advanced access for our smaller, rural schools in second and third class districts. Agricultural education is not a course that just teaches kids how to be farmers. It prepares our future generation to be participating in science, nutrition, teaching, and to secure careers right here in Montana. I'm happy to say that this bill passed unanimously in the Education and Cultural Resources committee. 

As the weeks advance in this legislative session, I will continue to keep you updated on developments at the Capitol. Our overall goal for this session continues to be minimizing government's overarching footprint and taxation burdens, while promoting the success of Montana's education, our economy, and our rule of law.  I continue to work for the improvement and preservation of our Montana way of life. 

It is my honor and privilege to serve the voters of Senate District 40 and our state. As always, please feel free to contact me at [email protected] Thank you.