Close to the end in Week 15

Study Resolutions were put into place this past week. Legislators are assigned to Study Resolutions between legislative sessions, taking on the responsibility of gathering information and studying research on assigned topics to bring to the body at the next session. One such study regarding landlord tenet laws was defeated. Another study, looking into decoupling of utilities did pass the Senate. There is a House Study Resolution to study agricultural land valuations that also passed the Senate. Another House Resolution that came across is to study municipal fire protection. Lastly, a Study Resolution for emergency care provider’s training and scope of practice passed. My seatmate, a seasoned senator, mentioned to me that my voting might be different next time if I were to be appointed to certain studies.

A charter school bill was tabled in committee only to be blasted to the floor to second reading. That bill, House Bill 376, is Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy’s Bill, if you would like to follow it. For some unknown reason, it has been dropped to the bottom of the agenda three days in a row and left unread for the next day. There are some proposed amendments that have not come forward, so at this point, what the bill will end up like is anyone’s guess. Maybe by mid-week I will have more information. As the bill stands, most of the schools in my district are opposed to the bill.

The gas tax bill was originally an 8 cent gas tax and 7.75 cent diesel tax. The bill has been amended a number of times. As it stands now, gas tax will go up by 4.5 cents July 1 and diesel by 1.5 cents. They will both go up in increments until 2023, gas to 6 cents and diesel 2 cents. I have received very few messages for or against House Bill 473, which is sponsored by Frank Garner, R-Kalispell, in its original form.

I had the opportunity to spend time with some Geraldine school students this past week. They were on a Capitol tour and finished up by my office. As with most schools, time is short trying to get everything covered in one day. After visiting with me they were almost late in getting to the Historical Museum. We have only a couple of days of session left.

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Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, can be contacted at [email protected]