Update from Helena

I just got back from Helena. I appeared before the House Taxations Committee this morning at 8 AM in support of SB 371, MSSA’s bill to encourage the production of powder, primers and brass in Montana. I asked the Committee to restore two of the three incentives stripped out by the Senate Taxation Committee, the tax breaks and the liability protection. I’m betting that the Committee WILL restore these needed incentives, and that the House will approve SB 371 in that form. Then the trick will be to get the Senate to go along with House amendments. I’ll let you know when it’s time to hammer the Senate with messages of support. Meanwhile, it might be good insurance to message your Representative in the House asking his or her support for SB 371.

HB 271, permitless carry. The House has rejected Senate amendments and HB 271 has gone to a Conference Committee to iron out the differences between House and Senate versions. I expect the Conference Committee to improve HB 271 from its current condition.

SB 114, Sheriffs First. SB 114 has been passed by the House in the watered-down version that came out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Senate will now enroll SB 114 and it will go to the Governor for his signature. SB 114 is so mild since the Senate amendments I can’t imagine why the Governor wouldn’t sign it into law. However, if you’re buddies with the Governor, you might want to ask him to sign SB 114.

SB 135, carrying a firearm while using dogs to track wounded game. SB 135 has passed the House and returned to the Senate for concurrence with House amendments. I haven’t studied through the amendments, but it appears the House left core provisions in place.

SB 136, born in Montana, hunt in Montana. SB 136 would allow people born in Montana (our kids, generally) to come home to hunt for twice the cost of residents, but would not force them to go through the lottery in hope of obtaining a license. SB 136 has passed the House and has been returned to the Senate with amendments.

SB 371, ammo component manufacturing – covered above.

SB 402, provide for spring wolf hunts. Passed by the Senate, sent to the House, assigned to the House FWP Committee, hearing today.

SB 414, wolf control. This is MSSA’s wolf control bill. Passed by the Senate, sent to the House, assigned to the House Appropriations Committee. No hearing date assigned yet.

Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.com