Montana House passes resolution on federal stimulus

HELENA - The Montana House on Thursday passed a joint resolution setting spending priorities for money expected to come Montana's way if President Barack Obama's proposed economic stimulus package is adopted.

The resolution, which passed its third reading Thursday by a vote of 54-46, calls for the federal funds to be invested in job production and the state's infrastructure.

"Right now, the Flathead is hurting more than anywhere else in the state," said Rep. Cheryl Steenson, D-Kalispell, the resolution's primary sponsor.

Flathead County reached an unemployment rate of 8.7 percent in December 2008 and major companies around the Flathead, including Semitool, Plum Creek and Columbia Falls Aluminum Co., are laying off or reducing work hours for hundreds of workers.

More than 40 legislators initially signed on to co-sponsor the resolution, which narrowly passed a contentious second reading in the House on Tuesday by a vote of 52-48, largely along party lines.

The resolution urges the U.S. Congress to pass Obama's economic recovery package - which could cost $900 billion - and calls for Montana to spend its portion of the money on creating jobs, bridge and road projects, water and sewer system projects, school and university buildings, energy conservation, and hospital technology improvements.

Obama's stimulus plan is expected to include tax cuts for businesses and the middle class, infrastructure projects, and investment in science and new technologies as well as funding to states.

The House on Thursday also heard a bill freeing outfitters and other providers of recreational pursuits from liability associated with the "inherent risks' of an activity.

The Montana Recreational Responsibility Act passed by a vote of 58-42 on its second reading. It must pass a vote by the full House one more time before being transmitted to the Senate.

"If you want to go out there and have some fun, you need to accept some responsibility," said Rep. Dee Brown, R-Hungry Horse, who sponsored the bill. "My bill does not protect negligent providers. I want to make that clear."

If passed, the bill - which was written to include sports, hiking, backpacking, rafting, boating, off-roading and snowmobiling - is expected to reduce insurance premiums paid by providers of recreational activities and stimulate tourism, which Brown called "critical to our economic survival."