A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA DIRECTING THE ASSIGNMENT TO AN APPROPRIATE INTERIM COMMITTEE OF A STUDY OF THE POSSIBILITY OF BROADCASTING THE DELIBERATIONS OF THE MONTANA LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, the citizens of Montana have a vested interest in the policy issues confronting their elected representatives; and

WHEREAS, broadcasting legislative deliberations in other states has proved to be an effective means of educating and informing the citizenry; and

WHEREAS, there are currently few sources from which Montana's citizens can obtain information about legislative deliberations, virtually none of which is an unfiltered source; and

WHEREAS, the opportunity exists for the Legislature to enhance its standing in the public's eye by providing direct observation of public policy deliberations; and

WHEREAS, the new millennium promises new and enhanced opportunities for providing broadcast coverage of the deliberations of the Montana Legislature; and

WHEREAS, as the citizens of Montana increasingly seek better, faster, clearer, and unfiltered information about public policy, the Legislature will have the need to understand the possibilities, obstacles, and other issues associated with providing that information, including the broadcasting of legislative deliberations.

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

That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate legislative interim committee to study the general issue of broadcasting legislative deliberations. The study should include:

(1) examining the economic feasibility of broadcasting legislative deliberations, including identifying practical opportunities and approaches for financing;

(2) developing recommendations for designing the scope of the project, including programming, production, broadcasting, transmission, and distribution; and

(3) developing an outline for the management, administration, and governance of broadcasting legislative proceedings.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the committee to which the study is assigned should look to approaches taken in the numerous other states that, in some form, broadcast legislative deliberations and should encourage the participation of private and public media representatives who have knowledge of similar activities and who may have current or future interest in broadcasting the deliberations of the Montana Legislature.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the committee report its findings, conclusions, and recomendations to the 57th Legislature and, as appropriate, recommend any necessary legislation and identify options for further legislative consideration.

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I hereby certify that the within joint resolution,

HJ 0018, originated in the House.

Chief Clerk of the House

Speaker of the House

Signed this	day

of	, .

President of the Senate

Signed this	day

of	, .

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 18

INTRODUCED BY T. FACEY, J. ANDERSEN, R. BUZZAS, P. CLARK, J. COBB, T. DELL, B. EGGERS, J. ELLINGSON, E. FRANKLIN, S. GALLUS, K. GALVIN-HALCRO, G. GOLIE, G. GUTSCHE, J. HURDLE, S. KITZENBERG, M. LINDEEN, J. MANGAN, R. MENAHAN, B. RYAN, J. TESTER, C. YOUNKIN

A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA DIRECTING THE ASSIGNMENT TO AN APPROPRIATE INTERIM COMMITTEE OF A STUDY OF THE POSSIBILITY OF BROADCASTING THE DELIBERATIONS OF THE MONTANA LEGISLATURE.