Senator Lang gives Legislative update for week of March 15

The final 45 days of the 67th Montana legislature have begun. Congratulations to the athletes and communities of North Eastern Montana with your representation in district, divisional and state tournaments. Special praise to the State Champion Scobey Spartans, Championship contenders, North Country Mavericks and the consolation contenders Malta M-ettes.

This week, Senate Finance and Claims will be meeting jointly with House Appropriations to look at bills and start our finalization of a balanced state budget. A big part of that will be the extra covid dollars which are headed to Montana. We will be working within the sideboards (where the money can and cannot be spent) and form a path for infrastructure to be built, as we reduce the financial pressure on Montana taxpayers. The rehabilitation of the St. Mary/Milk River project is a longtime infrastructure need. Representative Casey Knudsen carried a resolution in support of the St. Mary, and I will present it to the Senate.

Please, all county, city and town governments put forth your needs to me for this. Remember needs, not wants. Stabilize the commitment of taxpayers.

That being said, I pray that America is not moving towards socialism via indebtedness.

A personal bill, SB 338, has moved to the House and I will continue to seek this bill to be signed. SB 338 is a civil liability law which will limit the duty of care to a trespasser by a landowner. I also presented in the House SB 337, grizzly bear relocation; SB 230, sage grouse mitigation funds to be returned to general fund yearly at 10%; SB 306, creating 7 FWP commissioners and landowner representation on the commission.

I wrote a letter of support for the Keystone Pipeline which was signed by 90 other Montana legislators. This letter has been sent to the President and Congressional leaders in Washington, DC.

Please continue to communicate via text or email.

Gratefully, Senator Mike Lang, SD17