Legislature news from Senator Mike Lang

February 1, 2021 will be the 21st day of the 67th Montana Legislature.

The legislature is progressing ahead in Zoom and Teams modes. In other words, we are drinking from the fire hose while we learn and communicate via electronic modes for committee, bill drafting and floor sessions. As you know there are dangers when electricity and water come together.

Governor Gianforte presented a great State of States address this past week. His support of rural education, agriculture, businesses and sanctify of life were appreciated. It has been at least 16 years since there has been a transition like this in Helena. He and his staff have opened the communication door for legislators and public employees. Yet, he will stand bold on his campaign virtues.

My week begins at 8am each day in General Government, Section A.

In this committee we analyze 11 departments of the Montana government. Yes, the book is 11 inches thick. We look at how they have spent your tax dollars, what has transpired within the dollars, and then sift out how Montanans have, or will benefit. Another function is to review the last governor’s direction to these agencies and then analyze how the new governor wishes to proceed. Contrary to some opinions, we do have many dedicated and knowledgeable agency staff. The Governor is asking the agencies to provide valuable customer service to you the citizens. The decisions of this committee will be vetted in Senate Finance and Claims, voted on the Senate Floor, and then joined with the financial decisions of the House appropriation committees.

Senate Floor sessions start at 1 p.m. each day, Senate Natural Resources begin at 3 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I serve as chairman of Senate Agriculture and Irrigation, which meets a 3 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.

I encourage you to contact me at [email protected] You may become further involved by accessing the state web site at legmt.gov On this site, you may listen to committee hearings, contact a legislator, or sign up to testify on a bill in committee.

The process has many checks and balances. Ideas become bill drafts. The bill carrier presents the idea in an assigned committee. The committee listens to testimony. If the committee approves of the bill, it moves on to the floor of the House or Senate. It is voted on by the body. Then the process continues to the opposite chamber from which it started in. If a bill makes it through those committees and chambers, then it is transmitted to the Governor, where it is signed or vetoed. A bill can be amended during any process.

While I respect the media, at times they are expressing opinions before the reality of law becomes reality. Many of the bills being presented early in this session are from the 200 plus bills which passed the legislature in the last two sessions, but were then vetoed by the governor.

Issues which I have bill drafts for pertain to: classroom teachers, water and property rights, property taxes, funding revisions for sage grouse, state trust land, County Commissioner authority, federal land and water conservation fund and irrigation. I am sure they will all get a fair hearing.

Senator Mike Lang SD 17