LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN

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MONTANA LEGISLATURE CONCLUDES WORK - For now
(MMH&RV successful for in legislative process)

The Montana wrapped up their work on April 26 and the 150 lawmakers are headed back to the real world - at least for a while. Many speculate that due to the uncertain economic situation in Montana and the country the state budget may again dip below the magical $25 million reserve level which means Governor Martz may call for a "special session" sometime during the next year. Possibly as early as September.
Your state association was again very involved on both the manufactured housing side of legislative issues and on numerous RV issues throughout the session. We have highlighted a few bills in each category that may be of interest to members. In addition, we have included a list of all the bills tracked and/or worked on by MMH&RV during the session. If you want a copy of any bill please call the association office or visit the Montana Legislative Web-site at www.leg.state.mt.us

Manufactured Housing Legislation:
SB 354 - Prison build housing program was defeated in the Senate Business Committee. MMH&RV took the lead in the last year to effectively oppose this idea by the Board of Housing to establish a low-income home building program at Montana State Prison. This idea may resurface in future legislative sessions and MMH&RV will stand ready to oppose all efforts in this area. Thanks to the members who contacted their legislators to help defeat SB 354.

SB 340 and SB 326 - Growth policies to be a guideline and not a mandate.
Several groups supported these bills that worked their way through the legislative process. They are good legislation that clarify local growth policies cannot be used to restrict land-use developments and instead are a "guidelines" for local officials to utilize in their planning process.

HB 538 - Bill to revise motor vehicle (including manufactured housing) detitling laws.
Your state association specifically supported section 14 of this bill that clarifies a person buying and locating a manufactured home as "real property" can simply file a form with their county treasure to "detitle the home." Since 1997 there has been confusion throughout the state and some consumers have had to title and then detitle their manufactured home to establish it as real property. This bill should help to clarify the process of detitling.

HB 337 - Home and large structure moving bill
. The MMH&RV originally opposed this bill when introduced in the House. It was greatly amended in the Senate to re-insert the Public Service Commission back into the process of regulating the rates home movers must pay when a consumer relocates a structure of any type and the movement requires wires, cables or poles to be temporarily moved. As amended the bill has been improved to keep utilities from assessing unregulated moving charges.


RV Legislative Issues:
HB 186 - Revise motor vehicle licensing laws supported by MMH&RV. This bill makes a needed change in the RV Offlot regulation law to allow the Dept. of Justice to issue a Cease and Desist Order when a dealer has violated provisions of this law. In addition, the bill cleans up other provisions in the licensing law and calls for dealers to now have a $50,000 bond.

HB 634 - Require warranties for used vehicles. Your state association along with the Auto dealers and Independent Auto dealers Associations effectively killed this bill in the House Business Committee that would have required dealers to warranty used vehicles and basically done away with the "as is" law currently on the books.

SB 407 - Selective sales tax for short-term budget needs and income tax/capital gains tax reduction. This bill raises $65 million dollars for the state budget over the next two years by imposing a new 4% tax on rented motor vehicles starting July 1, 2003 including RV rentals. We opposed the bill when introduced in the House when the suggested rate was originally 9%. In addition, to the new rented vehicle tax the bill calls for an increase in the accommodation tax to 7% starting June 1 and an increase in the cigarette tax from 18 to 70 cents starting May 1, 2003. Starting on January 1, 2005 the revenue from this bill will be directed to reduce Montana income tax rates by 7% and decrease our capital gains tax rates by providing a 2% tax credit.

Thanks to the MMH&RV Board and the many members who assisted us this legislative session.

MMH&RV LEGISLATIVE BILLS TRACKED
April 21, 2003

* after status indicates the bill is probably dead
Total number of Introduced bills - 55
Total number of Introduced and Unintroduced Bills - 55

Bill Number
Association Position
Primary Sponsor
Status
Status Date
Short Title
HB71
Monitor
Karl Waitschies Chapter Number Assigned 03/25/2003 Remove sunset on MDT diesel vehicle inspection authority
HB86
Oppose
Christopher Harris (H) Missed Deadline for Revenue Bill Transmittal* 04/03/2003 Rental vehicle tax
HB93
Monitor
Bob Lawson Chapter Number Assigned 02/26/2003 Require DOJ adopt rules to allow early reregistration of motor vehicle
HB102
Monitor
Jill Cohenour Chapter Number Assigned 02/17/2003 Revise radon control act
HB105
Monitor
Bernie Olson (H) Signed by Governor 04/16/2003 Revise laws related to vehicle operating requirements
HB127
Monitor
Nancy Fritz Chapter Number Assigned 04/15/2003 Revise unfair trade and consumer protection act of 1973
HB139
Monitor
Christopher Harris (H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal* 02/28/2003 Proof of insurance for vehicle registration
HB186
Support
Gary Matthews Chapter Number Assigned 04/14/2003 Revise motor vehicle dealer licensing
HB204
Monitor
Bob Lawson (H) Missed Deadline for Revenue Bill Transmittal* 04/03/2003 Affordable Health Insurance Act
HB209
Monitor
Jim Shockley Chapter Number Assigned 02/26/2003 Conform period for enforcing lien filed in another county
HB216
Monitor
Joe McKenney (H) Missed Deadline for Revenue Bill Transmittal* 04/03/2003 Tax credit for health insurance premiums
HB237
Monitor
John Brueggeman (H) Signed by Governor 04/16/2003 Require muffler on motor vehicle with compression brakes
HB245
Monitor
Christopher Harris (H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal* 02/28/2003 Commission on gasoline pricing competition
HB261
Monitor
Dick Haines (S) Returned to House with Amendments 04/15/2003 Increase municipal finance debt limits -increase vehicle fees to repay loan
HB270
Monitor
Bob Bergren (H) Transmitted to Governor 04/14/2003 Prohibit use or sale of refrigerants not included in list of safe substitutes
HB275
Monitor
Tom Facey (H) Missed Deadline for Revenue Bill Transmittal* 04/03/2003 Revise assessment and taxation of certain improvements to real property
HB337
Oppose
Rick Ripley (H) Transmitted to Governor 04/11/2003 Revise law on moving electrical lines for house moving
HB444
Monitor
Jeff Pattison (H) Missed Deadline for Revenue Bill Transmittal* 04/03/2003 Revise vehicle registration requirements
HB504
Monitor
Frank Smith (H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal* 02/28/2003 Eliminate PSC authority over motor carrier transportation
HB511
Monitor
George Everett Chapter Number Assigned 03/20/2003 Grandfather master plans
HB512
Monitor
John Sinrud (H) Transmitted to Governor 04/16/2003 Provide for addition to planning and zoning district
HB514
Monitor
Penny Morgan (H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal* 02/28/2003 Revise vehicle registration laws for older vehicles
HB520
Support
Ron Erickson (S) Indefinitely Postponed in Committee-- (S) Finance and Claims 03/21/2003 Blue ribbon committee on affordable housing
HB533
Support
Ron Stoker (H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal* 02/28/2003 Increase nitrate nonsignificance threshold for water
HB536
Monitor
John Brueggeman (S) 3rd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted 04/16/2003 Provide for disclosure of mold in inhabitable property
HB538
Support
Allen Rome (H) Transmitted to Governor 04/17/2003 Revise laws on motor vehicle titling and registration
HB556
Monitor
Dave Gallik (H) Transmitted to Governor 04/15/2003 Separate registration period for motor homes with amateur radio license plates
HB559
Monitor
Steven Gallus (S) Conference Committee Appointed-- (S) Conference 04/17/2003 Registration decal as evidence of fee payment for vehicles and vessels
HB565
Monitor
Holly Raser (H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal* 02/28/2003 Clarify scope of easements
HB566
Monitor
Scott Mendenhall (H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal* 02/28/2003 Mandatory reporting of positive drug test to motor vehicle division
HB622
Monitor
Michael Lange (H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal* 02/28/2003 Revise electrical wiring requirements for commercial buildings
HB634
Oppose
Christine Kaufmann (H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal* 02/28/2003 Revise law on warranties for used motor vehicles
HB640
Monitor
Dick Haines (H) Transmitted to Governor 04/16/2003 Revise local government building code authority
HB689
Monitor
Alan Olson (S) 3rd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted 04/16/2003 Revise laws relating to lobbying
HB749
Support
Jim Peterson (H) Missed Deadline for Revenue Bill Transmittal* 04/03/2003 Statewide general retail sales and use tax
HB750
Monitor
Roy Brown (H) Missed Deadline for Revenue Bill Transmittal* 04/03/2003 Increase cigarette tax; appropriate general fund and coal trust principal
SB51
Support
John C Bohlinger Chapter Number Assigned 03/21/2003 Increase debt limit of board of housing
SB107
Monitor
Glenn Roush Chapter Number Assigned 04/01/2003 Increase state payment for county vehicle recycling and disposal
SB116
Monitor
Mike Cooney (S) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal* 02/28/2003 Revise seat belt use law
SB118
Monitor
Bob DePratu Chapter Number Assigned 04/10/2003 License plates -- delay new issue, change costs, generic specialty plates
SB171
Monitor
Dale Mahlum (S) Missed Deadline for Revenue Bill Transmittal* 04/03/2003 Enforcement for overnight parking of RVs and trailers
SB197
Monitor
Gary L Perry Chapter Number Assigned 04/09/2003 Prohibit mayor veto of county designated planning board member
SB254
Monitor
Mike Cooney (S) Transmitted to Governor 04/08/2003 Regulate rental vehicle entities' sale of rental vehicle insurance
SB268
Monitor
Debbie Shea (S) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal* 02/28/2003 Clarify plumbing activities for which permit not required
SB325
Monitor
Dan McGee (S) Returned with Governor's Proposed Amendments 04/16/2003 Revise restrictions on subdivision activities
SB326
Support
Dan McGee (S) 3rd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted 04/16/2003 Generally revise growth policy laws
SB340
Support
Duane Grimes (H) Conference Committee Appointed-- (H) Conference 04/14/2003 Revise use of local growth policy
SB343
Monitor
Rick Laible (H) Tabled in Committee-- (H) Local Government 04/02/2003 Revise planning and zoning district petition requirement
SB345
Monitor
Jim Elliott (H) Tabled in Committee-- (H) Transportation 03/26/2003 Revise laws on over length loads on trucks
SB354
Oppose
John C Bohlinger (S) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal* 02/28/2003 Prison industry low-income housing program
SB359
Monitor
Brent R Cromley (H) Tabled in Committee-- (H) Transportation 03/26/2003 Expand prohibition against unsafe loads on motor vehicles
SB407
Oppose
Bob DePratu (S) Conference Committee Appointed-- (S) Conference 04/16/2003 Income tax reduction with revenue from limited sales tax
SB425
Monitor
Rick Laible (S) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal* 02/28/2003 Revise subdivision review
SB426
Monitor
Gary L Perry (S) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal* 02/28/2003 Prohibit housing provisions in land use regulations
SB475
Monitor
John Esp (H) Tabled in Committee-- (H) Taxation 04/11/2003 Realty transfer tax over $75K on residences and ag. land -- income tax credit


Legislative Information:
The most up-to-date information on the 2003 session can be found at the excellent state website: www.leg.state.mt.us. This site also provides an easy to use Email system to send notes to you legislator.
For copies of any bill listed, go to: www.leg.state.mt.us and click on "bills" then click on "2003 Session" and give bill number (example: HB22)
   
 

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