Senator wants a ban on plastic straws, a fee on disposable bags
State Director Riley Johnson reports from Helena on the legislative week ending January 18
In the second week of session, there were 10 bills of interest to NFIB, but none received a hearing in either house.
Of the 10 bills, only three will have hearings next week.
- House Bill 148 would require a two-thirds vote of both houses of the Legislature to pass any new tax or fee or raise any existing tax or fee. That would be 67 votes in the House of Representatives and 34 votes in the Senate. NFIB supports HB 148. This bill will be heard in the House Tax Committee January 22 in Room 152 of the Capitol Building.
- Senate Bill 120 by Sen. Sue Malek (D) of Missoula would limit restaurant distribution of plastic straws unless requested. Restaurants would have to use paper straws, at a cost three-times of plastic straws. NFIB does not support SB 120. The hearing on this bill will be January 25 in Room 422 before the Senate Business Committee in the Capitol Building.
- The committee will also hear another bill by Senator Malek. Senate Bill 121 would establish a fee of 4 cents for each disposable carryout bag that is used in any retail store. Also, each retailer would have to keep an accounting of the money raised by this bill and submit it to the Montana Department of Revenue each quarter. NFIB opposes SB 121.
Other bills of interest to NFIB include:
- House Bill 165 would phase out the use of Styrofoam carriers for food and retail items
- House Bill 194 would raise lodging and rental car taxes in local governments if approved by the local voters
- House Bill 195 would allow a local option sales tax on luxury items to fund local infrastructure like wastewater systems, roads, and bridges
- House Bill 208 that would establish family medical leave insurance in small businesses
- House Bill 214 would restructure the Montana State Fund
- House Bill 216 would revise tax laws related to student loan reimbursements by employers
- Senate Bill 102 would raise the state park fee that motorists can voluntarily pay on registering their vehicles from six dollars to 25 dollars.
State Budget Outlook
Most of the action this week was centered on the budget and revenue projections for the biennium of 2019-2020. Until lawmakers figure out what kind of revenue and expenses are being faced, there is very little action on things that might cost the government money.
A Look Ahead
Bills NFIB is expecting to be introduced in the weeks ahead include:
- Local option sales taxes for local governments
- Broadening the resort sales tax limitations
- More statewide infrastructure funding bills
- Income tax modifications
- Efforts to alter the business equipment tax
- Raising the minimum wage
- Raising taxes on liquor tax
- Raising taxes on tobacco
- Renewing the Medicaid expansion program
Want to Get Involved?
Getting involved with the 2019 Legislature is easy. The best way to have your voice heard quickly is to phone 406-444-4800. Operators are on hand in the Capitol Building to take messages to up to five legislators on each call, and delivery is within a half hour.
For more information, go to www.leg.mt.gov where you can:
- locate legislators
- get their e-mail addresses
- read bills
- view committee meetings and floor sessions on television or over computers
- review all hearings.
Previous Legislative Report
January 13—Montana State Legislature Opens its 2019 Session
