House Scorecard Votes

SB 57 ( Johnson )- Vote on motion to amend.  The bill would extend the sunset on Universal System Benefit Programs for 2  years.  The Amendment would exempt Montana Dakota Utilities from USBP.  This amendment was a point of contention, and led to the bill dying in conference committee.  MontPIRG supports the bill and opposes the amendment.  Motion passed 53-47.

HB 167 ( Hedges )- 3rd reading vote.  Exempts schools, hospitals, government entities, etc. from Universal System Benefit charges.  This sets a precedent which would lead to serious impacts on USBP funding.  These programs are an important part of Montana’s energy policy, and should be promoted, not diminished.  MontPIRG opposes the bill.  Passed 77-23.

SB 512 ( Halligan )- Motion to pass consideration.  This vote killed a very important consumer bill, which creates an energy excise tax.  This would discourage excess profits and protect consumers from profiteering in the energy market.  MontPIRG supports the bill and opposes the motion.  Passed 57-40.

SB 508 ( Cole )- 2nd reading to adopt conference committee report.  Creates 10 year tax holiday for new electrical generation.  It specifically targets fossil fuel power plants to receive this corporate welfare, encouraging more highly polluting electrical generation in Montana and excusing them from paying their share of taxes.  MontPIRG opposes this bill.  Passed 64-36.

SB 134 ( Miller )- 2nd reading vote.  Reduces the coal severance tax by 2/3 on coal mined for new electrical generation.  The negative impacts are twofold: It encourages more coal-fired generation, and reducers the coal tax, which is deposited in the coal trust.  MontPIRG opposes this bill.  Passed 61-38.

SB 319 ( Cole )- 2nd reading vote.  Exempts power plants and pipelines of 25 inches or less from review under the Major Facilities Siting Act.  This eliminates public input and environmental review in regards to the siting of new power plants.  MontPIRG opposes this bill.  Passes 69-31.

SB 377 ( Grimes )- 3rd reading vote.  Sets arbitrary time-frames for environmental reviews and public comment under MEPA.  This compromises the ability of agencies to make well-reasoned environmental decisions.  MontPIRG opposes this bill.  Passed 61-39.

SB 473 ( Younkin )- 2nd reading vote.  Establishes that MEPA is merely procedural, and not substantive.  Thus, even if the MEPA process reveals certain risks with a proposed project, state agencies could do nothing unless there is a specific environmental standard violated.  MontPIRG opposes this bill.  Passed 60-40.

SB 397 ( Grosfield )- 3rd reading vote.  This bill would change how signatures must be gathered for public initiatives.  By requiring signatures from _ of the counties rather than 1/3 of legislative districts, it makes signature gathering much more difficult.  MontPIRG opposes this bill.  Passed 68-32.

SB 472 ( Grosfield )- 2nd reading vote.  Raises obstacles for sponsors of public initiatives.  By expanding the review process, opening initiatives to constitutional challenges (before signature gathering), and inviting lawsuits from opponents, it would seriously undermine public participation through the initiative process.  MontPIRG opposes this bill.  Failed 44-55.

HB 204 ( Bitney )- 3rd reading vote.  Steps-up the purging of voter roles by two years.  Sold as a housekeeping measure for clerks and recorders, it creates another obstacles between people and the right to vote.  MontPIRG opposes this bill.  Passed 71-29.

HB 582 (Gutche )- 2nd reading vote.  Calls for a study to be conducted regarding the feasibility of creating a chronic disease registry.  Such a database would aide in earlier detection of public health threats due to environmental contamination.  MontPIRG supports this bill.  Passed 63-36.
 

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