Keeping in Touch

Now that the General Election is over, it is time to begin preparing for the start of the 2011 Legislative Session which begins on January 3rd.  On November 15th I am headed to Helena to begin that preparation.  The following day I’ll be attending a Legislators’ forum, sponsored by the Montana Policy Institute, which will be covering property rights, fiscal responsibility in Montana and promoting free enterprise.  On Wednesday, November 17th through the 19th, I will be attending the orientation and continued training sessions for new and returning legislators sponsored by the Legislative Services Division. 

Prior to beginning our orientation and training sessions, both parties will hold their Party Caucuses for the House and Senate Chambers.  For the Senate, they will select a Senate President who is elected by a majority of senators voting for the individual they want to serve as the chief officer of the Senate and as a party leader.  In addition, a president pro tempore, the majority and minority leaders and party whips will be elected.   For the House, we will elect the Speaker of the House who is elected by a majority of House members voting for the office.   The Speaker serves as the chief officer of the House and as party leader.  In addition, like the Senate, a speaker pro tempore, majority and minority leaders and party whips will be elected.

The Senate President administers the oath of office to senators and to officers and employees of the Senate. is responsible for preserving order and decorum in the Senate chamber, presides over Senate proceedings and recognizes members who wish to speak on the floor, makes initial rulings on questions of procedure, determines who will preside during second reading of bills when the Senate convenes as a Committee of the Whole, approves the calendar for each legislative day, assigns all bills to standing committees, serves as an ex officio member of all standing committees, appoints conference committee members, controls access to the Senate floor, including media access and placement, and has general control over room assignments for members and staff.

The Senate President Pro Tempore serves as the president of the Senate during the absence of the president.

The Speaker of the House administers the oath of office to the representatives and to the officers and employees of the House, is responsible for preserving order and decorum, presides over House proceedings and recognizes members who wish to speak on the floor, makes initial rulings on questions of procedure, determines who will preside during second reading of bills when the House convenes as a Committee of the Whole, serves as an ex official member of all standing committees, appoints House members to standing, select and conference committees, taking into consideration the recommendations of the minority leader for appointment of minority members and vice chairs, decides how many members from each party will sit on the Rules Committee (each party appoints its own members), assigns bills to committees, arranges the agenda for second and third reading of bills, and supervises House employees.

The Speaker Pro Tempore serves as speaker during the absence of the speaker and performs other duties as assigned by the Speaker.

Majority Leaders of both Houses help the speaker or president develop the calendar, monitors committee work to ensure a steady flow of bills for floor debate, helps the presiding officer to calendar bills, is the lead speaker for the majority party in floor debate, helps the speaker or president with program development, policy formation and policy decisions, and presides over majority caucus meetings.

Minority Leaders of both Houses develops the minority position, negotiates with the majority party, directs minority caucus activities on the floor, directs floor activity for the minority party, and leads floor debate for the minority party.

Whips are elected by their respective party to assist their respective leaders, generally communicate the majority position, ensure their party members are present for important votes, and count votes.

On Wednesday, after the caucuses conclude, we will attend orientation sessions for new leadership and new legislators, computer and other information technology (IT) services, IT follow-up and overview of the audit division.  During this time we also will have our pictures taken which will be used by Montana media, published in the legislative guides and placed on the legislative website at leg.mt.gov.

On Thursday, the sessions scheduled will cover bill drafting, budgeting and fiscal notes, bill mechanics, standing committees as well as a mock committee hearing followed by a mock floor session.

On Friday, the sessions will cover legislative rules, ethics and decorum, Senate and House facilities and staff, and leadership panel.

As we go forward, I’d like to hear from you regarding any proposed legislation that you are concerned about.  Your thoughts and experiences regarding specific issues are important in helping me to understand the impact which may result if a bill is passed, so please “Keep in Touch”.  I can be reached via e-mail at pathd13@blackfoot.net, or call me at 827-4652 or by mail at P.O. Box 1151, Thompson Falls, Montana 59873.