Keeping in touch with Rep. Pat Ingraham

On Monday, January 7, 2013 the 63rd Legislature convened at noon in both the House and Senate Chambers for the Swearing-in Ceremony for Legislators.  A moment in time where we can reflect of the great honor the people of Montana have bestowed upon each of us, that of serving them in this Great House of the People.

On Tuesday, January 8th I attended, along with other legislators a Law School for Legislators, which was held in the House Chambers beginning at 8:00 a.m.  Then in the afternoon, beginning at 2:00 p.m. a “Chair” training session was held for House members that will one day chair a floor session in the House Chambers.  

On Wednesday, January 9th as the Presiding Officer for the House State Administration Committee, I began the day with an organization committee meeting for the new and returning Legislator members.  The House State Administration Committee typically handles bills related to public retirement systems, state employee benefits and pay, elections, campaign finance, veterans, the Montana National Guard, the procedures agencies must follow to adopt administrative rules and any other matters that have to do with the general operation of state government, such as state procurement and contracting, state government information technology, the state motor pool, to name a few.

The State Administration is a Class 1 committee, which means we are scheduled to meet Monday through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and we meet in room 455.  In the past this committee handles historically 143 bills each session, which means we need to handle a minimum of about 3 bill hearings each day we meet, plus leave time for executive action and amendments, so as you can see our agenda each day will be fairly full.  With that said, I have already scheduled a pretty full schedule so that we will hit the ground running beginning Thursday, January 10th.

Upon adjournment of our floor session on January 9th, I attended a rules training session for all legislators in the House Chambers.

On Thursday, January 10th my State Administration Committee hit the ground running as we held hearings for the following bills:  House Joint Resolution (HJR) 1 – an interim study of structure and duties of office of commissioner of political practices; House Bill (HB) #23 – revising ethics violation laws for commissioner of political practices; HB 41 – revise interim committee monitoring duties; and, HB 53 – revise State Administration and Veteran Affairs Statutory duties.

Following our floor session on Thursday, January 10th Senator Max Baucus addressed House and Senate Legislative Members in a joint session held in the House Chambers.

On Friday morning, January 11th we will be hearing the following bills, in addition to some executive action:  HB 38- transfer Geographic Information Systems (GIS) duties to the state library; HB 51 – revise applicability of federal laws and regulations to Montana National Guard; and, HB 129 – revise campaign finance and disclosure laws.

On Friday afternoon, beginning at 1:00 p.m. a presentation of the proposed legislative districting & apportionment plan will be presented by Justice Regnier to a Senate – House joint legislative session upon the convening of our floor session in the House Chambers.  

House Bills (HB) that are currently scheduled for the State Administration Committee for the upcoming week are as follows:  Monday, January 14th:  HB 30 – revise late registration laws; HB 46 –  revise contribution limit for candidate exploratory campaign; HB 64 – clarify requirements for report filing; and, HB 67 – revise inspection of campaign records laws; Tuesday, January 15th: HJR 2 – interim study investigating state/local government electronic records management; HB 54 – revise teacher’s retirement system administrative and tax qualification laws; and, HB 91 – modify and expand public employee 457 deferred compensation program; Wednesday, January 16th: HB 108 – revise registration and proof of identity requirements for voting; HB 120 – generally revise election laws; and, HB 126 – generally revise ballot issues and petition statutes; Thursday, January 17th: HB 110 – requiring consideration of guiding principles that have tribal implications; HB 124 – clarify exemption for school districts and special districts in elections; and, HB 125 – clarify when candidate’s name is held off the ballot and Friday, January 18th is tentatively set for executive action.

State Administration, along with the other Legislative Committees, is facing full days and a multitude of bills, and while we are doing the work of the people, the legislative process relies on the participation of informed citizens such as you.  Tracking the bills and communicating with the legislators regarding your approval, opposition or suggestions for possible amendments plays a very important role in the outcome of the bills.  You may access a free online service, the Legislative Automated Workflow Systems (LAWS), to find the complete text of bills, their status, committee hearing schedules, agendas for committee hearings and floor sessions and House and Senate votes on bills at www.leg.mt.gov/laws .

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.

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, or by e-mailing me at pathd13@blackfoot.net or you may mail your comments to me at Representative Pat Ingraham, Capitol Building, PO Box 200400, Helena, MT 59620-0400.