House Bill No. introduced by B. Ler establishes the Montana Cattle Committee, composed of seven members appointed by the governor from nominees provided by agricultural associations. The committee's main goal is to bolster the cattle industry in Montana through initiatives in advertising, promotion, and research. It is granted powers to adopt rules, conduct research, and manage a special revenue account funded by a $1 assessment on each head of cattle sold. The committee can also conduct referendums on the cattle assessment and impose penalties for nonpayment or rule violations. The bill further outlines the committee's operational provisions, including member compensation, officer elections, and fund management, while exempting the committee from certain procurement procedures.

In addition to establishing the committee, the bill amends existing laws to define statutory appropriations, which allow state agencies to spend without biennial legislative approval, and outlines conditions for these appropriations. It also amends Section 81-1-102 regarding the duties and powers of the livestock department, introducing provisions for fee establishment based on costs and requiring stakeholder notification for administrative rule changes. The legislation includes codification instructions, a contingent voidness clause related to the cattle assessment referendum, and specifies effective dates for various sections of the act. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of Montana's cattle producers.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_1(1): 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_1(2): 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_1(3): 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_1(4): 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_1(5): 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_1(6): 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_1(7): 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_1(8): 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_1(9): 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_1: 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_2(1): 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_2(2): 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_2(3): 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_2(4): 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_2(5): 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_2(6): 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_2(7): 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_2(8): 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_2(9): 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_2: 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102