2021 Legislative Update and Recap: Week 3

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Below is a recap of bills Grow MT is supporting, watching, and action alerts. Virtual testimony will be available during the session. Learn more HERE.

HB235: Double SNAP Dollars Bill

The Double SNAP Dollars bill has been given a number: HB235 and has been assigned to House Human Services Committee.  The first reading of the bill was scheduled for today, 1/25/2021. Bill information is available HERE.Montana Food Bank Network is the lead on this bill and Rep. Tom Welch is the sponsor. MFBN has released a fact sheet about Double SNAP Dollars to help in advocacy conversations. The fact sheet is available HERE. 

MFBN is seeking individuals who would be interested in testifying for this bill once a hearing is scheduled. If you know of someone who would be a good candidate, please have them contact Maura at maurah@ncat.org so I can pass on their information to the policy team at MFBN.

Opportunity for Action!
For a full list of the advocacy campaigns sponsored by MFBN visit https://mfbn.org/actioncenter/ which include “Contact Your Legislator” forms on active campaigns.

HB69: Eliminate the reduced-price category for school meals.

This bill had its first hearing on Wednesday the 20th, and it went very well! There were several proponents and no opponents. The committee will likely cast a vote soon.

HB69 would eliminate the reduced-price co-pays for school meals (so reduced-price kids would get school meals for free).  Montana Food Bank Network is supporting this bill. Current bill language can be found here: https://leg.mt.gov/bills/2021/billpdf/HB0069.pdf

HB69 is sponsored by Rep. Wendy McKamey.

A fact sheet for the bill can be found HERE .

Opportunity for Action!
You can send an email directly to the House Education Committee by visiting MFBN’s Online Campaign at https://p2a.co/YL6N71W

LC1256: State Soil Health Study Bill

This bill would create a subcommittee within the Environmental Quality Council Interim Committee to study how the state might promote and support soil health. It is sponsored by Senator Pat Flowers.

The draft (LC1256) is not yet available on the legislative website, and no committee hearing scheduled. Next steps are to identify co-sponsor(s), get constituencies to contact their senator and representative in support of the study.

Next Steps:
The fact sheet about this bill is on the Grow Montana website HERE . Contact your senator and representative in support of the bill. You can find your legislator by address or name HERE. Consider asking your agricultural organization to actively support the bill.

Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) Bill (LC3172)

The COOL Bill sponsored by Rep. Frank Smith is still with Legislative Services. A bill number has not been assigned at this time.

Farm to School (LC3225)

Rep. Laurie Bishop of Livingston has agreed to sponsor the Farm to School Bill on behalf of Grow MT.  Rep. Bishop delivered the draft request to Legislative Services and it was received on 1/19/21.

Rep. Bishop is hopeful this bill will be introduced into the House Ag. Committee. Initially drafted to request state appropriations, the bill language will be updated to allow for private funding now and to be a vessel for state funds in the future.
Farm to SchoolChild Holding AppleChild Holding AppleLearn more about Farm to School: Annual Report