The City Council traditionally adopts legislative priorities before each session of the Montana Legislature.  The 2011 session begins on January 3.  Council priorities help to guide individual Councilmembers, staff and the City's lobbyist when communicating with legislators, particularly those who are from the Billings area.  The Council reviewed a draft set of priorities at its September 20 work session and staff made the revisions that were discussed at that meeting and have continued revising as more information develops.  The Montana League of Cities and Towns adopted its Legislative Resolutions in October.  The Billings Chamber of Commerce has continued refining the Community Policies statement.  Both are referenced in the City's priorities as being generally supported.  Staff is requesting that the Council approve the 2011 Legislative Priorities at this time so that they can be distributed to legislators before and during the upcoming session. 

The City Council may:

• Approve the Legislative Priorities as presented. 
• Amend and approve the Legislative Priorities.
• Do not approve the Legislative Priorities.  Staff and the City's lobbyist are planning weekly or bi-weekly legislation reviews with Council.  If the Council chooses to not adopt priorities, staff and the lobbyist will try to obtain direction from the Council during those sessions.  The City's legislative involvement would be primarily reactive. 

There are no immediate financial impacts related to the Legislative Priorities.  The FY 2011 budget for the legislative session is $45,000, which includes expenses for the lobbyist and travel expenses for staff and Council who periodically travel to Helena during the session. 

Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached City of Billings Legislative Priorities.