67th Legislature HB 681.1
1 HOUSE BILL NO. 681
2 INTRODUCED BY J. KASSMIER, W. GALT, C. KNUDSEN, B. LER
3
4 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT CREATING THE AGRICULTURAL TRANSPORTATION
5 ENHANCEMENT ACCOUNT TO BENEFIT PORT AUTHORITIES; PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION;
6 AMENDING SECTIONS 7-14-1111 AND 80-11-103, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.”
7
8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
9
10 NEW SECTION. Section 1. Agricultural transportation enhancement account. (1) There is an
11 agricultural transportation enhancement account in the state special revenue fund established in 17-2-102.
12 (2) Any state funds distributed by the department of agriculture must be matched at a rate of 1 to 1,
13 with $1 in state funds to $1 in local funds.
14
15 Section 2. Section 7-14-1111, MCA, is amended to read:
16 "7-14-1111. General powers of authority. An authority has all the powers necessary or convenient
17 to carry out the purposes of this part, including but not limited to the power to:
18 (1) subject to 15-10-420, request annually the amount of tax to be levied by the governing body for
19 port purposes, which request the governing body may in its discretion approve for port purposes;
20 (2) sue and be sued, have a seal, and have perpetual succession;
21 (3) execute contracts and other instruments and take other action that may be necessary or
22 convenient to carry out the purposes of this part;
23 (4) plan, establish, acquire, develop, construct, purchase, enlarge, improve, maintain, equip, operate,
24 regulate, and protect transportation, storage, or other facilities. For these purposes an authority may, by
25 purchase, gift, devise, lease, or otherwise, acquire real or personal property or any interest in property,
26 including easements.
27 (5) establish comprehensive port zoning regulations in accordance with the laws of this state;
28 (6) acquire, by purchase, gift, devise, lease, or otherwise, existing transportation, storage, or other
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67th Legislature HB 681.1
1 facilities that may be necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this part. However, an authority may
2 not acquire or take over any transportation, storage, or other facility owned or controlled by another authority,
3 county, municipality, or public agency without the consent of the authority, county, municipality, or public
4 agency.
5 (7) provide financial and other support to organizations in its jurisdiction, including corporations
6 organized under the provisions of the development corporation act in Title 32, chapter 4, whose purpose is to
7 promote, stimulate, develop, and advance the general welfare, economic development, and prosperity of its
8 jurisdiction and of the state and its citizens by stimulating, assisting in, and supporting the growth of all kinds of
9 economic activity, including the creation, expansion, modernization, retention, and relocation of new and
10 existing businesses and industry in the state, all of which will tend to promote business development, maintain
11 the economic stability and prosperity of the state, and thus provide maximum opportunities for employment and
12 improvement in the standards of living of citizens of the state.; and
13 (8) receive grants pursuant to [section 1] to enhance the transportation of agricultural goods and to
14 meet the purposes of this part."
15
16 Section 3. Section 80-11-103, MCA, is amended to read:
17 "80-11-103. Department's marketing duties. The department shall:
18 (1) keep abreast of research results in the subject matter area of marketing;
19 (2) coordinate work with local, state, and national planning groups and other interested parties in
20 helping them identify major problem areas and needs in marketing;
21 (3) develop and carry out appropriate action programs that will result in significant improvements
22 being made by those people concerned with problems of marketing;
23 (4) coordinate efforts with representatives of other agencies or organizations or persons who are
24 concerned with related programs;
25 (5) investigate the costs of marketing;
26 (6) gather and disseminate information concerning supply, demand, favorable marketing information,
27 prevailing prices, and changes in marketing movements, practices, and rates, including common and cold
28 storage of food products;
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67th Legislature HB 681.1
1 (7) promote, assist, and encourage the organization and operation of cooperative and other
2 associations and organizations for improving the relations and services among producers, distributors, and
3 consumers of food products;
4 (8) investigate the practice and methods concerning the marketing of agricultural products;
5 (9) act as mediator or arbitrator, when invited, in a controversy or issue that may arise between
6 producers and distributors;
7 (10) assist producers and distributors in the economical and efficient distribution of agricultural
8 products at fair prices;
9 (11) appear and be heard at any hearing involving agricultural marketing affecting Montana; and
10 (12) award and distribute grants from the agricultural transportation enhancement account pursuant to
11 [section 1] to enhance the transportation of agricultural goods and to meet the purposes of Title 7, chapter 14,
12 part 11."
13
14 NEW SECTION. Section 4. Appropriation. There is appropriated $2 million from the state special
15 revenue account provided for in [section 1] to the department of agriculture for the biennium beginning July 1,
16 2021, to distribute grants to port authorities to enhance the transportation of agricultural products to and from
17 the state.
18
19 NEW SECTION. Section 5. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an
20 integral part of Title 80, chapter 11, part 1, and the provisions of Title 80, chapter 11, part 1, apply to [section 1].
21
22 NEW SECTION. Section 6. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2021.
23 - END -
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Statutes affected: HB0681_1.pdf: 7-14-1111, 80-11-103
HB0681_2.pdf: 7-14-1111, 80-11-103
HB0681_X.pdf: 7-14-1111, 80-11-103
Amended: 7-14-1111, 80-11-103
Introduced: 7-14-1111, 80-11-103