Legislative update

The 64th Montana Legislature finished its third week of the session Saturday. There are 37 freshmen in the House this session. It has been a fast learning curve for them as the pace of bills being heard in committees and on the House floor has been steadily increasing.

Some bills of interest to the Flathead Valley that have passed the House are as follows: 

HB82 would allow for the construction of a boat dock on Wild Horse Island. Currently it is difficult for some people to access the beach from a boat. A dock would improve the transfer and safety of visitors. 

HB147 would allow for a nurse licensure compact. It allows for reciprocity of Montana nurse licenses among the other states in the compact.  

HB111 would change the sentence for a felony DUI. A felony DUI comes on the fourth DUI conviction. It currently has a 13-month jail sentence. HB 111 will allow the court to impose a sentence of 13 months up to 2 years.  Many felony DUI offenders are given credit for time served in jail while waiting for a court hearing. That doesn’t leave enough time to enter a treatment program. By giving a longer sentence, the time and incentive for an offender to enter a treatment program will be increased. Most offenders that successfully complete a treatment program are released before their full sentence is completed.  

HB 130 would prohibit use of tanning devices for persons under 18 years old unless they have written consent from their parent.  

These bills are on their way to the Senate. You can contact your senator with your thoughts on the bills. All bills can be tracked through the legislative process by going to www.leg.mt.gov. —Keith Regier, Kalispell Republican, HD4