'Dark Money" Disclosure/ Medicaid/ Campaign Ethics Board

Missoulian:  Montana House backs bill to require 'dark money' groups disclose donors

SB 289: Revise campaign finance laws

Missoulian: Medicaid expansion bill `blasted’ to Montana Senate floor
SB 405: Establish the Montana Health and Economic Livelihood Partnership Act

Missoulian: Montana lawmakers kill bill to create campaign ethics board

HB 623:  Generally revise office of political practices

Ballot Measures/ Right to Trap/ 80 mph Speed Limit/ "Religious Freedom"

Missoulian: 12 ballot measures introduced by Montana legislators before deadline
HB 245: Revise laws related to raw milk
HB 457: Constitutional referendum to revise concealed weapons law
HB 638: Eliminate certain automatic utility rate adjustments
HB 598: Referendum for gun owners access to justice act
HB 615: Revise laws related to the fundamental rights under the MT constitution
HB 638: Eliminate certain automatic utility rate adjustments
SB 275: Constitutional amendment to elect board of public education
SB 279: Referendum to require special election for vacancy in the U.S. Senate or House
SB 353: Constitutional referendum to divert coal trust and create Build Montana program
SB 391: Constitutional referendum eliminating term limits for state legislators
SB 412: Referendum for tax credits for contributions to public and private schools

Missoulian: Right to trap becomes law without Montana governor's signature
HB 212:  Reaffirm that trapping is a form of hunting protected under MT Constitution

Missoulian: Senate advances 80 mph highway speed limit proposal
HB 375: Revise motor vehicle minimum liability insurance laws

Missoulian: Republican proposes 'religious freedom' referendum
HB 615: Revise laws related to the fundamental rights under the MT constitution

Sheepherders/ Campaign Finance/ School Choice/ Abortion/ STDs/ FBI

Missoulian: Immigration changes jeopardize Mount Jumbo shepherd's job
Adverse Effect Wage Rates for 2015
TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT GUIDANCE LETTER NO. 32-10 (2011)

Missoulian: Democrats, some Republicans get campaign finance bill to Montana House floor
HB 289: Revise zoning requirements for economic development districts

Missoulian: 'School choice' bills still alive at Montana Legislature, but most eyes on 1
SB 410: Provide for tax credits for contributions to public and private schools

Missoulian: House endorses bill to increase abortion regulations
HB 479: Revise laws regarding fetal surgery

Missoulian: Helena lawmaker proposes state funding for STD prevention
HB 597: Providing an appropriation for sexually transmitted disease prevention services

Missoulian: Report calls for improvements at FBI to combat terror
 The FBI: Protecting the Homeland in the 21st Century

National Parks Infrastructure/ Medicaid Expansion/ Developmental Center/ MT Revenue/ Tax Cuts & Crime Lab/ Hantavirus

Missoulian: As they enter 2nd century, national parks need $11.5 billion in repairs
National Park Service Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Justifications
“In 2016, the National Park Service will celebrate 100 years as steward of the nation’s most cherished natural and cultural resources. As the keeper of 405 park units, 23 national scenic and national historic trails, and 60 wild and scenic rivers, NPS is charged with preserving these lands and historic features that were designated by the nation for their cultural and historic significance, scenic and environmental worth, and educational and recreational opportunities. Additionally, NPS further helps the nation protect resources for public enjoyment that are not part of the National Park System through its financial and technical assistance programs.”

Missoulian: Medicaid expansion bill stalls in committee as opponents add amendments
SB 405: Establish the Montana Health and Economic Livelihood Partnership Act

Missoulian: Bill to close Montana Developmental Center elicits emotional testimony for, against
SB 411: Plan for the closure of Montana developmental center at Boulder

Missoulian: House Taxation Committee chair reluctantly backs higher revenue estimate
HJR 2: Revenue estimating resolution

Missoulan: House panel endorses tax cut bill, tables eastern Montana crime lab

SB 200: Lower individual income tax rates
HB 512: Establish an eastern Montana crime laboratory

Missoulian: UM reports hantavirus case in Missoula County
Hantavirus
CDC Fact Sheet
Facts About Hantaviruses
“People get HPS when they breath in hantaviruses. This can happen when rodent urine and droppings that contain a hantavirus are stirred up into the air. People can also become infected when they touch mouse or rat urine, droppings, or nesting materials that contain the virus and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. They can also get HPS from a mouse or rat bite.”

Indecent Exposure/ Gun Bills/ Wisconsin Voter ID/ Funding for STEM

Missoulian: Legislature updates Montana's indecent exposure law to include electronic images
SB 60:  Revising indecent exposure laws

Missoulian: Arsenal of gun bills marching through 2015 Legislature
HB 298: Generally revise concealed weapons laws
HB 203: Prohibit enforcement of new federal gun laws
SB 122: Encourage manufacture of ammunition in Montana to ensure availability
SB 143: Clarify constitutional provisions and law related to board of regents/u-system

 Missoulian: Justices turn away challenge to Wisconsin voter ID law

Statement on Photo ID Law Status
“Following Monday's decision from the U.S. Supreme Court not to hear an appeal of Wisconsin's voter ID cases, the Government Accountability Board is awaiting direction from the Wisconsin Department of Justice in anticipation of future action by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals on implementation of Wisconsin's Voter Photo ID Law.”

RUTHELLE FRANK, et al., v. SCOTT WALKER, Governor of Wisconsin

Missoulian: Obama to announce $240M in new pledges for STEM education
FACT SHEET: President Obama Announces Over $240 Million in New STEM Commitments at the 2015 White House Science Fair

“The announcements being made today include, among others:

• $150 million philanthropic effort  to empower a diverse cadre of promising early-career scientists to stay on track to become scientific leaders of tomorrow;
• $90 million “Let Everyone Dream” campaign to expand STEM opportunities to under-represented youth;
• $25 million Department of Education competition to create science and literacy themed media that inspires students to explore;
• 120 universities and colleges committing to train 20,000 engineers to tackle the “Grand Challenges” of 21^stcentury; and,
• CEO coalition Change the Equation committing expand effective STEM programs to an additional 1.5 million students this year.”