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. All committee members must be residents of Montana and cattle producers. The committee's responsibilities include promoting the cattle industry, conducting research, and managing a cattle assessment of $1 per head sold. The bill also creates a special revenue account for these assessments and outlines procedures for conducting referendums on the assessment and its adjustments. Additionally, it includes penalties for nonpayment of the assessment and violations of regulations, while amending existing laws to exempt the committee's executive director and employees from certain state employment regulations.

The bill further establishes a framework for statutory appropriations, allowing state agencies to spend funds without biennial legislative approval, provided these appropriations are explicitly stated in the law. It amends the Department of Livestock's duties, enabling it to set fees based on costs and requiring notification to stakeholders about changes to administrative rules. New sections are introduced to codify parts of the bill into existing law, and a contingent voidness clause is included, stating that if the cattle assessment referendum does not receive approval by June 30, 2027, the act will be void. Most provisions will take effect upon passage, while certain sections will only take effect after the referendum's approval.

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(10): 2-18-103, 17-7-502, 81-1-102
HB0119_2(11): 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