2003 Montana Legislature

About Bill -- Links

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 23

INTRODUCED BY J. WINDY BOY

 

A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA URGING THE MEMBERS OF THE MONTANA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE TO EXEMPT THE INDIAN LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS WHO RAISE BEEF CATTLE EXCLUSIVELY ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS IN MONTANA FROM THE ASSESSMENT OF ANY FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE BEEF CHECKOFF PROGRAM.

 

     WHEREAS, since 1986, the State of Montana has actively participated in the National Beef Checkoff Program in which livestock producers both on and off Indian reservations pay $1 for each head of beef cattle that they sell; and

     WHEREAS, Indian livestock producers are assessed the $1 for each head of beef cattle that they sell, of which 50 cents goes into a national checkoff fund that is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture and the other 50 cents goes into the checkoff fund of the state in which the sale was made, with the Montana Beef Council receiving the Montana funds; and

     WHEREAS, a United States District Court Judge in South Dakota has issued an injunction to halt the collection of national beef checkoff assessments that livestock producers nationwide approved through a referendum in 1986, and the injunction is scheduled to take effect July 15, 2003, unless further legal action is initiated; and

     WHEREAS, Indian livestock producers who raise beef cattle exclusively on Indian reservations in Montana are subjected to the $1 assessment during beef cattle change of ownership inspections provided by deputy state stock inspectors throughout the state, by Department of Livestock brands enforcement inspectors or investigators, and at the 15 livestock markets; and

     WHEREAS, the Indian livestock producers on Indian reservations in Montana believe that the $1 assessment on Indian beef cattle amounts to an unlawful tax on livestock raised exclusively on Indian lands in Montana.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

     That the members of the Montana Congressional Delegation be urged to introduce legislation in the United States Congress as promptly as possible to exempt the Indian livestock producers who raise beef cattle exclusively on Indian reservations in Montana from the assessment of any fees associated with the National Beef Checkoff Program.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State send copies of this resolution to the members of the Montana Congressional Delegation and the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture.

- END -

 


Latest Version of HJ 23 (HJ0023.01)
Processed for the Web on February 13, 2003 (4:35pm)

New language in a bill appears underlined, deleted material appears stricken.

Sponsor names are handwritten on introduced bills, hence do not appear on the bill until it is reprinted.

See the status of this bill for the bill's primary sponsor.

 Status of this Bill | 2003 Legislature | Leg. Branch Home
All versions of this bill in PDF
Authorized print version w/line numbers (PDF format)

Prepared by Montana Legislative Services
(406) 444-3064