Flathead legislators work on jobs bills

Flathead area legislators received a letter from Kevin Jump, owner of John Jump Trucking, of Kalispell, asking what this session is doing to create good-paying jobs for Montanans.

We are proud of the jobs bills that are progressing this session. We have more work to do, but we expect the bills carried by Flathead legislators summarized below to have a positive impact on employment in Montana’s near and far future. There are 20 more jobs bills carried by other legislators.

• House Bill 334, by Rep. Scott Reichner, R-Bigfork, is guaranteed by the non-partisan National Council on Compensation Insurance to reduce the cost of doing business in Montana. Montana businesses have told us directly, “I could hire another person today if my work-comp costs went down.” This bill achieves that. Passed the House.

• Senate Bill 290, by Sen. Ryan Zinke, R-Whitefish, creates jobs by clarifying that an independent contractor is not an employee under the Montana Human Rights Act, thus reducing uncertainty in making contracts. Passed the Senate.

• HB 419, by Rep. Bill Beck, R-Whitefish, lowers insurance premiums by expanding Montana’s special-purpose self-insurance pools.

• HB 187, carried in the Senate by Sen. Carmine Mowbray, R-Polson creates jobs in Montana’s wood products industry by requiring Montana-made wood products in road and bridge construction projects where appropriate. Passed both houses.

• HB 464, by Rep. Mark Blasdel, R-Somers, raises standards of proof for liability for pediatric and geriatric specialist care.

• HB 405 by Rep. Janna Taylor, R-Dayton, reforms malpractice lawsuits for lower costs for Montana’s health care industry, which leads to lower costs for us and more ability for health care businesses to add workers. Passed the House.

• SB 103, by Sen. Verdell Jackson, R-Kalispell, exempts “non-consumptive wells” from the permit process, saving time and money. These wells are a major step forward in home and commercial heating and cooling. Lower utility costs leaves commercial entities more money to hire people. Passed the Senate.

• SB 317, by Sen. Chas Vincent, R-Libby, creates jobs in natural resource industries by making it easier for common sense development projects to get through the environmental permitting process. Passed Senate on a second reading. Vincent’s SB 312 creates jobs by easing the permit process for small-time mining operations. Passed Senate on a second reading.

• HB 550, by Rep. Joe Read, R-Ronan, helps Montana’s natural resource industries by establishing state authority over federal authority in the regulation of greenhouse gasses. Passed the House.

• SB 117, by Sen. Greg Hinkle, R-Thompson Falls, requires the federal government to consult with local governments, including when regulations restrict development of natural resources. Passed the Senate.

• SB 372, by Sen. Bruce Tutvedt, R-Kalispell, creates jobs by reducing the business-equipment tax, leaving more money to hire workers. Passed Senate committee.

• HB 325, by Rep. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell, eliminates the business-equipment tax, which makes Montana more attractive to employers with large equipment investments.

We hope the progress of these bills indicates that we are heartily carrying out our Republican priority of growing jobs and the economy.

Sen. Verdell Jackson, R-Kalispell, represents Senate District 5, and Sen. Carmine Mowbray, R-Polson, represents Senate District 6.