By Karli Johnson and Nicole Rolf, Montana Farm Bureau Federation

 

Week 14 was tax week in Helena with the legislature working steadily to provide a good solution for Montana’s property tax situation. While the concept of property tax reduction looks positive on the outside, the many moving parts and pieces of the Montana tax system make it difficult to find a “one size fits all” solution. HB 528: Revise property tax rates for agricultural, residential and commercial property sponsored by Rep. Ed Byrne (R) HD 11 was a bill heard this week that fits this concept. HB 528 addresses property tax multipliers and shifts property taxes for the previously listed properties back to 2021. However, shifting taxes for these specific properties will lead to significant tax shifts in other sectors like electricity and energy, both of which agriculture producers use constantly. On the local level, costs will be borne by consumers to make up for the decrease in the tax on property. MFBF has been in consistent opposition to these shifts; by taking a closer look through the numbers, HB 528 will shift the burden back onto agriculture. Because of a property tax deduction, the impact will cause our mill to end up costing us than the amount that we will save on property tax. For every $100,000 worth of ag land, owners will see $13,060 on 800 mills, which is even higher than commercial property owners. Farmers and ranchers are price takers not price makers and this bill will increase that substantially, something our businesses are unable to handle.

This week also held the last few confirmation hearings in the Senate. MFBF was proud to share their support for the confirmations for Director Christi Clark for the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) and Director Jillien Streit for the Department of Agriculture. MFBF is very excited to continue working with Director Clark in this new capacity and look forward to seeing her promised synergy between farmers and ranchers and the Department of FWP. As for new Director Streit, the contagious enthusiasm that she is bringing to the Department of Ag makes the future of Montana agriculture extremely bright.

Two of Rep. Randyn Gregg’s (R) HD 78 bills had their Senate Hearing on Tuesday. HJ 34: Resolution supporting Montana’s beef producers and HB 860: Provide for veterinary training loan program had MFBF’s support in Senate Ag. HJ 34 recognizes the beef industry as one of Montana’s most important economic drivers and celebrates ranchers. HB 860 is a loan program to address the ever-growing issue of the lack of large animal veterinarians across our state. This bill follows a model that has been extremely beneficial in Kansas with a 94% retention rate of rural large animal veterinarians in their state. With student debt for a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine being extremely high, this program will provide for recently graduated veterinarians with a loan after their commitment to serving in remote Montana areas for four years post-graduation. HB 860 supports homegrown talent and will work to revitalize rural communities in a very well thought out solution for a real problem in Montana.

HJ 52: Interim study on the Montana cattle industry sponsored by Rep. Eric Tilleman (R) HD 23 was heard in House Ag on Thursday. This study resolution is based on HB 119, the cattle committee bill that was tabled in Senate Ag. The passage of HJ 52 will allow an interim study performed by a committee for the ideas expressed in HB 119 and provide a foundation for the start of the bill next session. MFBF supported this bill.

Nicole Rolf is the Senior Director of Governmental Affairs and a rancher from Miles City, Montana.  Nicole works closely with our Congressional delegation on national issues affecting Montana agriculture. Additionally, this is her ninth Montana Legislative Session, lobbying in Helena on behalf of MFBF members. Nicole can be contacted at nicoler@mfbf.org.

Karli Johnson is the State Governmental Affairs Coordinator and a rancher from Choteau, MT. This is Karli’s first session lobbying on behalf of Montana Farm Bureau although she can be known as an old hand at testifying on Grizzly Bear bills before she came onto staff. Karli will focus on water and wildlife issues throughout the legislative session while also serving as the Northwest Regional Manager. Karli can be contacted at karlij@mfbf.org.