_________ Bill No. _______

Introduced By _______________________________________________________________________________

By Request of the department of commerce

A Bill for an Act entitled: "An Act modifying the department of commerce's responsibility to offer employee ownership development services; and amending section

90-5-305, MCA."

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

Section 1.  Section 90-5-305, MCA, is amended to read:

"90-5-305.   Department to offer employee ownership development services. The department of commerce shall:

(1)  compile, organize, and make available to the public a library of resources on the subject of employee ownership and participatory management;

(2)  research the role of employee ownership in successful state and local economic development programs of other states;

(3)  provide public education on the beneficial aspects of employee-owned enterprises;

(4)  conduct seminars, workshops, and conferences to increase awareness of the benefits found to be common to employee-owned enterprises. At least one seminar must be held annually for public officials dealing with economic development, business assistance, and business financing programs.

(5) Upon the request of an employee ownership group, the department of commerce shall  provide technical assistance and counseling on the establishment and management of employee-owned enterprises."

-END-