Montana Recreation Responsibility Act signed into law
The 61st Legislature is now in the books and the taxpayers will have new laws to learn as the enforcement begins. Many positive things have been done this session with some a bit harder to swallow.
The last 90 days have been filled with drama but did avoid the train wreck of the last session. For the most part both sides of the aisle were courteous even though our core values differ on some key issues. Neither side got all that they wanted but worked together for a solution to the Healthy Children's Initiative passed by taxpayers last November and funded education at the base level funding by using a back-fill from the Federal stimulus package.
I was part of a couple of the conference committees to hammer out differences between the House and Senate amendments put on bills. Taxpayers will no longer foot the bill for state workers whose job is in Helena while they commute from Great Falls, Bozeman or Butte in a state motor pool vehicle.
Agencies will be required to have written policy about motor vehicle use and submit any prolonged use for approval by the governor. None of us really cared where the state worker lived but objected to the taxpayer picking up their vehicle and gas tabs - which should be their own expense. We don't know yet how much money this will save us but do know there is abuse by some state workers which should be stopped.
HB150, the Montana Recreation Responsibility Act, was signed into law April 27 with many outfitters and interested parties joining me for the governor's signing ceremony. Gov. Schweitzer's amendments to my bill made it even better for the state since he included governmental entities in the law which will limit liability in the recreational activities we all enjoy.
There are inherent risks in everything we do, especially in the outdoors. Negligent outfitters will not be off the hook under this bill nor will it take away the constitutional right to sue a poor provider.
Bob Jordan from Wild River Adventures in West Glacier was the constituent who brought forth the idea for HB150 three sessions ago. Darwon Stoneman from Glacier Raft has also been involved from the beginning. Tracey Knutson, a U of M law graduate now based in Alaska, flew in to testify in favor of the bill since she crafted the language for Wyoming's similar law.
It took awhile to convince legislators of its merits, but persistence pays in the end. We're hoping it will control the spiraling costs of liability insurance for small businesses across the state. Thanks to all the outfitters who supported the effort!
I will serve on the legislative audit for the fourth term and will keep you informed on state issues as I hear about them. I also want to thank you for the faith you've placed in me this session and wish my replacement the best of luck as the state struggles into the 2011 session.
An AP reporter was in the office last week discussing term limits. She asked me if I was going to run next term, to which I quickly replied, "Yes." When she asked me what office I would seek I told her I was running to be grandmother of the year in Tucson, Ariz. We all had a good laugh.
It's been a great honor to serve the people of House District 3. Thanks again!
Rep. Dee Brown from HD3 serves as Republican Whip.