Keeping in touch with Rep. Pat Ingraham

Last week, the House Select Committee on Redistricting that I served on had their last meeting and took executive action on House Resolution 2. This bill will go the House Floor this week to be voted one, and then will be forwarded on to the Redistricting and Reapportionment Commission for their consideration on whether they accept the recommended changes. The Senate will send their own Resolution for changes on to the Commission for their consideration.

The changes requested by the House, which came from the House Select Committee, primarily addressed two concerns, the functional compactness of districts and communities of interest. Previously during the hearing process, I submitted such a proposal on behalf of House District (HD) 13 in order to better meet the standards of functional compactness of districts as well as communities of interest. Currently, as proposed, HD 13 will be comprised of Heron, Noxon, Whitepine, Trout Creek, Thompson Falls, Marion and Kila. A tentative optional solution for HD 13, to address my concerns, would be an area that would not include Marion and Kila, but would run up Bull River to the Yaak and include the Troy area. However, HD 13 is only one of many that are being brought forth to the Commission for their consideration. Other areas included in the Resolution cover House Districts 21, 23, 77, 78, 82 and 84, to name just a few. As the Commission considers these requests and looks at new possibilities, there will be many ripple effects or unintended consequences to other areas. If changes are proposed, they may not be met with a great deal of enthusiasm if districts are altered, especially for those who liked the current proposed commission plan. In addition, impacts to the current proposed Senate pairings will have to be considered prior to making any final decisions.

On February 12, 2013, beginning at 9:30 a.m., the Districting and Apportionment Commission, chaired by Jim Regnier, the Presiding Officer, will meet at the Montana Historical Society Museum Auditorium, 225 North Roberts Street in Helena which is across from Capitol. They will have a brief overview of the meeting purpose and districting criteria and then they will review the legislative recommendations. They will discuss and revise the tentative Commission plan, including justifications for any deviations from ideal population. After public comment, the Commission will adopt the final legislative redistricting plan for Montana’s 100 House Districts and 50 Senate Districts.

On Tuesday, February 5th, I presented House Bill (HB) 264 before the House Business and Labor Committee, which will exempt senior citizen centers from operator’s license requirements for bingo and live card games, such as pinochle. This is the first step in moving a bill forward. Following a hearing, the Committee will eventually take executive action on it. During this process they have the opportunity to amend it as they desire, as once a bill is introduced it becomes their bill. If passed out of the committee, it will go to the House Floor, and if passed by the House, then it will proceed to the Senate where it will go through a similar like process. If the Senate passes the bill then it will go to the Governor. So, as you can see, it may take a bit of time to find out the end of the story.

Remember to please “Keep in Touch” with me during the session by leaving messages for me by using an online form available at www.leg.mt.gov/message, or by calling the information desk at (406) 444-4800 to leave a message regarding your opinion, thoughts and concerns, or by e-mailing me at pathd13@blackfoot.net or you may mail them directly to me at: Representative Pat Ingraham, Capitol Building, PO Box 200400, Helena, MT 59620-0400.

Online video and audio broadcasts can be accessed by visiting www.leg.mt.gov/broadcast. Viewers will need RealPlayer software. In addition to Internet broadcasts, the Legislature will broadcast its proceedings over cable television through TVMT. While TVMT programming is not available in our area, those areas that are covered can be found by visiting www.leg.mt.gov/tvmt or by calling the Legislative Information Office at 444-2957.