_________ Bill No. _______

Introduced By _______________________________________________________________________________



A Bill for an Act entitled: "An Act appropriating $150,000 from the general fund for each of fiscal years 1998 and 1999 to the southern agricultural research center, located near Huntley, to fund three positions and cover expenses of agricultural research operations at the center; and providing an effective date."



WHEREAS, agriculture is the primary source of economic vitality to the Yellowstone Valley and to the City of Billings in particular; and

WHEREAS, the Yellowstone Valley and Billings enjoy a growing season and soils that are different from those elsewhere in Montana; and

WHEREAS, the Southern Agricultural Research Center, located near Huntley, is vital to the future economic success of agriculture in the Yellowstone Valley and in Billings.



Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Montana:



NEW SECTION. Section 1.  Appropriation. There is appropriated from the general fund for each of fiscal years 1998 and 1999 the following amounts to fund three positions at the southern agricultural research center, located near Huntley, and to cover expenses of agricultural research operations at the center:

(1) two faculty positions $100,000

(2) one technician position $ 37,000

(3) expenses $ 13,000



NEW SECTION. Section 2.  Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 1997.

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