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Item 1.M.
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| City Council Regular | |
| Date: | 09/23/2024 |
| Title: | Resolution Establishing Legislative Priorities for the 2025 Montana State Legislature's 69th |
| Presented by: | Chris Kukulski, City Administrator |
| Department: | City Hall Administration |
| Presentation: | No |
| Legal Review: | No |
| Project Number: | N/A |
RECOMMENDATION
The Legislative and Local Affairs Council Committee members and City Administration recommends the Council adopt the attached Resolution for the Montana State Legislature's 2025 Session.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
The 69th Montana State Legislature will convene January 2, 2025. It is important to identify legislative priorities to guide city administration, staff, local elected officials, and our lobbyists. It is intentionally broad to help guide city staff, elected officials and our lobbyist Aimee Grmoljez.
Included within our legislative priorities are our two closest legislative partners, the Montana League of Cities and Towns (MLCT) and the Yellowstone County Attorney's office. The MLCT is an incorporated, nonpartisan, nonprofit association of 127 Montana municipalities. The League's sole purpose is for cooperative improvement of municipal government in Montana. It acts as a clearinghouse through which the municipalities cooperate for their mutual benefit.
This Resolution adopts the following priorities for the 2025 Legislative Session:
1. Public Safety
2. Housing
3. Economic Development
4. Medicaid Expansion Reauthorization
5. Infrastructure
6. Shift Tax Burden
7. MLCT/Self-Governing Powers
The Legislative and Local Affairs Council Committee reviewed the proposed priorities at their meeting on September 11, 2024. There was not a quorum, as only two of the four members were present. However, Committee Council Members Boyett and Joy recommended approval of the attached resolution to council. Committee Members Shaw and Neese were absent. Council Member Aspenlieder was in attendance and was also in favor of approval of the resolution as presented.
Included within our legislative priorities are our two closest legislative partners, the Montana League of Cities and Towns (MLCT) and the Yellowstone County Attorney's office. The MLCT is an incorporated, nonpartisan, nonprofit association of 127 Montana municipalities. The League's sole purpose is for cooperative improvement of municipal government in Montana. It acts as a clearinghouse through which the municipalities cooperate for their mutual benefit.
This Resolution adopts the following priorities for the 2025 Legislative Session:
1. Public Safety
2. Housing
3. Economic Development
4. Medicaid Expansion Reauthorization
5. Infrastructure
6. Shift Tax Burden
7. MLCT/Self-Governing Powers
The Legislative and Local Affairs Council Committee reviewed the proposed priorities at their meeting on September 11, 2024. There was not a quorum, as only two of the four members were present. However, Committee Council Members Boyett and Joy recommended approval of the attached resolution to council. Committee Members Shaw and Neese were absent. Council Member Aspenlieder was in attendance and was also in favor of approval of the resolution as presented.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
- Approve; or,
- Not Approve
FISCAL EFFECTS
Creating the legislative priorities and agenda has little direct cost. Success or failure of legislation throughout the 2025 session may have significant short and long term fiscal impacts.