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HOUSE BILL NO. 661
INTRODUCED BY N. BALLANCE
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A LEGISLATIVE STUDY OF STATE LABS AT MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY-BOZEMAN; PROVIDING PARAMETERS AND OUTCOMES FOR THE STUDY; SPECIFYING MEMBERS AND DUTIES; PROVIDING FOR FUND TRANSFERS AND AN APPROPRIATION; AND PROVIDING EFFECTIVE DATES AND A TERMINATION DATE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Legislative study of state labs at Montana state university-Bozeman. (1) The legislative finance committee shall direct a study of the long-term future of and possible efficiencies to be gained from state-supported labs on the Montana state university campus in Bozeman, including:
(a) the veterinary diagnostic lab;
(b) the wool lab;
(c) the wildlife lab; and
(d) the seed lab.
(2) (a) The study analysis must be conducted by a bipartisan subcommittee consisting of the following:
(i) two members of the legislative finance committee, with one member from each political party;
(ii) two members of the economic affairs interim committee, with one member from each political party; and
(iii) two members of the environmental quality council, with one member from each political party.
(b) The committees and the environmental quality council shall elect their representatives to serve on the subcommittee.
(3) The subcommittee shall develop and analyze at least three economically viable proposals for each lab identified in subsection (1), including:
(a) necessary infrastructural changes and upgrades, their costs, and potential funding sources;
(b) organizational changes and any financial efficiencies they would create; and
(c) statutory changes needed to facilitate proposed infrastructural or organizational changes.
(4) Subject to direction provided by the legislative finance committee, the study may include but is not limited to:
(a) onsite visits to the labs and interviews with relevant state and university personnel;
(b) comparison with labs in other states that provide similar services, including North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Washington, Texas, and California;
(c) onsite visits to labs in other states; and
(d) comparison with labs that provide services unrelated to natural resources.
(5) The subcommittee may work with engineering and architectural consultants as needed.
(6) The appropriation provided for [section 3] may be used for any purpose of the study, including but not limited to:
(a) conducting onsite lab visits;
(b) contracting with consultants pursuant to subsection (5);
(c) providing study-related training for legislators and legislative staff; and
(d) publication and communication costs.
Section 2. Fund transfers. By July 5, 2017, the state treasurer shall make the following transfers to a state special revenue account to be administered by the legislative fiscal division:
(1) $16,500 from the animal health state special revenue account;
(2) $16,500 from per capita fees;
(3) $16,500 from the Montana university system research director account; and
(4) $11,750 from the motorboat account.
Section 3. Appropriation. (1) There is appropriated $61,250 for the biennium beginning July 1, 2017, to the legislative fiscal division from the state special revenue account administered by the legislative fiscal division for the purposes of the study as set forth in [section 1].
(2) By December 15, 2018, the state treasurer shall transfer any unencumbered or unexpended funds in the state special revenue account referenced in subsection (1) on November 30, 2018, back to the accounts from which the funds were transferred pursuant to [section 2] in an amount proportionate to the amount transferred from the accounts.
Section 4. Contingent voidness. (1) If [this act] is passed and approved and does not contain an appropriation, [this act] is void.
(2) If the appropriation in [this act] is vetoed, then [this act] is void.
Section 5. Effective dates. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), [this act] is effective on passage and approval.
(2) [Sections 2 and 3] are effective July 1, 2017.
Section 6. Termination. [This act] terminates December 31, 2018.
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Version of HB 661 (HB0661.ENR)
Processed for the Web on April 22, 2017 (10:35am)
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Status of this Bill | 2017
Legislature | Leg. Branch
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