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Week 15 Legislative Update: April 12th - April 16th |
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Appropriations This week, the Senate debated and passed HB 2. It contains an additional 1% rate increase for those who provide psychiatric services, as well as those who provide support to those with intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities of all ages. With this addition, HB 2 raises their rates by 2% in the first year of the next biennium and then raises it an additional 2% in the second year. In some previous sessions, a 2% raise was included within the Governor’s budget. These were not included this session and thus advocates and providers had to persuade legislators to add them. Unfortunately, we have heard that there is a desire to take out the additional 1% increase during a free conference committee likely to be held next week. This would be a bad decision as these rates were cut in 2017 and the losses from that time have not been entirely restored, which has limited the ability of many providers to effectively serve their clients. Meanwhile, on Monday the 12th, the Senate Finance and Claims Committee will be taking action on HB 632, the main bill to appropriate the $2.7 billion from the federal ARPA. The bill largely creates a structure to have the funds appropriated - as opposed to making the appropriations itself. Click here for the full schedule. Be sure to check it often as we have seen the schedule change with little notice. |
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General Bills Monday, April 12 At 3:00, the House Human Services Committee will hear SB 16 “ Allow minors to consent to emergency shelter and services.” Sponsored by Sen. Gross, it will be heard in room 152. Click here for the contact information for the House Human Services Committee. Also at 3:00, the Senate State Administration Committee will hear HB 643, “Allowing a disabled voter to electronically return a ballot.” This bill updates the electronic voting system for people with disabilities by eliminating the requirement that a voter have a printer at home to print out the completed ballot. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Custer and it will be heard in room 335. Click here for the contact information for the Senate State Administration Committee. Tuesday, April 13 At 8:00, the House Taxation Committee will hear SB 399, “Generally revise and simplify income taxes.” This bill cuts taxes for some, but will raise taxes for roughly one-fifth of Montanans, some of whom are very low income. It will reduce revenue by $30m a year. It is sponsored by Sen. Hertz and will be heard in room 152. Click here for the contact information for the House Taxation Committee. At 8:00, the House Judiciary Committee will hear HJ 31, “Interim study of criminal-justice system data in Montana.” It is sponsored by Rep. Fleming and will be heard in room 137. The House Judiciary Committee will also hear HJ 29, “Study of victim services and funding in Montana.” It is sponsored by Rep. Duram. Click here for the contact information for the House Judiciary Committee. At 3:00, the House Human Services Committee will hear SJ 14, “Interim study of the Montana mental health system.” It is sponsored by Sen. Sales and will be heard in room 152. Click here for the contact information for the House Human Services Committee. Wednesday, April 14 At 8:00, the House Judiciary Committee will hear HJ 34, “Study of pretrial and presentence diversion programs.” It is sponsored by Rep. Usher and will be heard in room 137. The House Judiciary Committee will also hear HJ 32, “Study discrimination in Montana's criminal justice system.” It is sponsored by Rep. Stafman. The House Judiciary Committee will also hear SB 400, “Restrict governmental entity from interfering with parental rights.” It is sponsored by Sen. Manzella. Click here for the contact information for the House Judiciary Committee. At 8:30, the House Business and Labor Committee will hear SB 323, “Generally revise Montana Administrative Procedure Act.” It is sponsored by Sen. Chris Friedel and will be heard in room 172. Click here for the contact information for the House Business and Labor Committee. |
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How to Contact Legislators During the Session Online Messaging Use the online messaging form to message a legislator (click button below). This is one of the quickest and most effective ways of contacting your legislator. Phone Call Regular office hours during the session are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to adjournment on Saturdays. Callers may leave messages for legislators or acquire general legislative information by calling the Information Desk at (406) 444-4800. Callers may leave messages for up to 5 individual legislators or 1 legislative committee per call. |
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Not sure who represents you in the Montana Legislature? Click Here |
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To listen to audio/video streaming of committee hearings, click here. |
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We will be posting an electronic newsletter each Friday during the 2021 legislative session. We will give you information about upcoming budget and general bill hearings, developments for other bills we are following and action alerts when these bills are coming up for votes. |
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If you have accessibility needs and would like to receive the newsletter in another format, please contact Disability Rights Montana at advocate@disabilityrightsmt.org or call 800-245-4743. |
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Do You Have the Assistive Technology You Need to Participate in the 2021 Legislative Session? Do you have what you need to share your story or voice support of bills that impact the lives of Montanans with disabilities? Borrow equipment from MonTECH for 30-60 days so you'll be prepared to write, call, or testify. MonTECH houses a wide range of equipment to help you get connected. Borrow iPads, adapted keyboards, hands-free mice, laptops, wearable speakers, headphones, webcams, voice amplifiers, or devices that allow hands-free video calls with motion tracking. Spotty or nonexistent internet? If you’re in range of a cellular tower, borrow a Jetpack Mobile Hotspot and connect up to 15 devices! MonTECH provides free shipping and return shipping anywhere in Montana, and serves any Montanan who has a disability (including learning disabilities). The program is easy to use and does not require medical verification of a disability to borrow this type of equipment. Call or write if you have questions or need help accessing our program: montech@mso.umt.edu, 1-877-243-5511. We look forward to helping ensure you are heard during the 2021 legislative session! |
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Protection & Advocacy Service Training We are more than happy to provide training and workshops to others. We welcome nonprofits, clients, workplaces, and more, to reach out to us if you would like for us to present about our services, and how we can provide assistance. Call 406-449-2344 or email Advocate@DisabilityRightsMT.org. |
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"Advocating for justice is our individual and collective responsibility." Executive Director,
Disability Rights Montana
Bernie Franks-Ongoy
406-449-2344 Advocate@DisabilityRightsMT.org |
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Disability Rights Montana protects and advocates for the human, legal, and civil rights of Montanans with disabilities while advancing dignity, equality, and self-determination. Copyright © 2020 Disability Rights Montana, All rights reserved Disability Rights Montana
1022 Chestnut Street | Helena, Montana 59601
406-449-2344 | Advocate@DisabilityRightsMT.org |
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