HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 33
INTRODUCED BY K. GILLAN, BRANAE, DELL, DEVLIN, EGGERS, G. FORRESTER, FUCHS, GLASER, GOLIE, HEDGES, R. HOLDEN, HURDLE, LASZLOFFY, LENHART, LINDEEN, MATTHEWS, MCCANN, MCGEE, MCNUTT, MUSGROVE, NELSON, NOENNIG, PEASE, A. PETERSON, K. PETERSON, SCHRUMPF, SMITH, SPRAGUE, STEINBEISSER, WAITSCHIES
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUGAR INDUSTRY TO MONTANA'S ECONOMY; URGING THE MONTANA BOARD OF INVESTMENTS, THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, AND OTHER AGENCIES TO UTILIZE RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS TO ASSIST MONTANA'S SUGAR INDUSTRY; AND STATING THAT THE MONTANA LEGISLATURE IS COMMITTED TO HELPING SUGAR BEET PRODUCERS MAINTAIN A STRONG MONTANA PRESENCE.
WHEREAS, the sugar industry in Montana employs over 5,900 people as producers, refinery workers, and others involved in the production of sugar from "beet to sweet" in the state of Montana; and
WHEREAS, over 500 Montana farmers spend over $40.3 million annually to grow and harvest sugar beets, producing 61,800 acres of sugar beets in 1999 at an approximate yield of 23.8 tons of beets per acre; and
WHEREAS, the sugar industry is important to the economy of Montana and the dollars invested by the sugar industry energize the state's rural economy, generating over $260 million annually in economic activity; and
WHEREAS, sugar beets rank fourth in overall cash receipts among crops grown in Montana, generating cash receipts of $54,169,000 in 1999, making up 3.2% of the total receipts from all Montana commodities that year; and
WHEREAS, irrigated acreage and the consistent production of sugar beets add value to Montana agriculture and play a key role in the viability of many rural communities; and
WHEREAS, sugar beets are a high-value field crop that rotates well with other crops that are produced competitively and the byproducts of the sugar beet crop can provide feed for cattle and sheep; and
WHEREAS, the two sugar processing facilities in Montana, the Imperial Holly Sugar Corporation in Sidney, Montana, and the Western Sugar Company in Billings, Montana, process nearly 1.5 million tons of sugar beets grown in Montana and have payrolls of almost $10 million and pay $871,000 in property taxes.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the Montana Legislature applauds the hard-working people who comprise Montana's sugar industry and recognizes the importance of the industry to Montana's economy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Montana Legislature urges the Montana Board of Investments, the Department of Commerce, and other agencies to utilize all possible financial resources and programs to assist Montana's sugar industry in retaining and expanding this viable economic industry in the state of Montana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Montana Legislature is committed to helping sugar beet producers maintain a strong Montana presence and to keeping a strong agriculture economy.
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Latest Version of HJ 33 (HJ0033.ENR)
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