Senate bill NO. 293

INTRODUCED BY M. Noland, M. Cuffe, J. Cohenour, C. Glimm, G. Hertz, W. Curdy, J. Ellis, S. Gunderson, D. Fern, D. Loge, S. Vinton, N. Duram, M. Marler, T. Vermeire

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REQUIRING THE PLACEMENT OF POSTERS RELATED TO PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES AT PUBLIC REST AREAS; AND AMENDING SECTIONS 60-2-244 AND 80-7-1203, MCA.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Section 60-2-244, MCA, is amended to read:

"60-2-244. Human trafficking hotline -- posted notice required at rest areas. Posted notice required at rest areas -- human trafficking hotline -- invasive species prevention. The department of transportation shall display at each rest area within the limits of the right-of-way of interstate highways and other state highways:

(1)        a poster created by the department of justice pursuant to 44-4-1501 that provides information regarding the national human trafficking resource center hotline.; and

(2)        a poster created by the invasive species council pursuant to 80-7-1203 that provides information related to preventing the spread of invasive species."

Section 2. Section 80-7-1203, MCA, is amended to read:

"80-7-1203. Duties -- reporting -- definition. (1) The invasive species council shall:

(a)        provide policy level recommendations, direction, and planning assistance for combating infestations of invasive species throughout the state and preventing the introduction of other invasive species;

(b)        foster cooperation, communication, and coordinated approaches that support federal, state, provincial, regional, tribal, and local initiatives for the prevention, early detection, and control of invasive species;

(c)        identify, coordinate, and maintain an independent science advisory panel that informs Montana's efforts based on the current status, trends, and emerging technology as they relate to invasive species management in Montana;

(d)        in coordination with stakeholders, identify and implement priorities for coordination, prevention, early detection, rapid response, and control of invasive species in Montana;

(e)        champion priority invasive species issues identified by stakeholders to best protect the state;

(f)         advise and coordinate with agency personnel, local efforts, and the scientific community to implement program priorities;

(g)        implement an invasive species education and outreach strategy;

(h)        create a poster that provides information related to preventing the spread of invasive species and provide copies of the poster to the department of transportation for display at rest areas;

(h)(i)      work with regional groups to coordinate regional defense and response strategies; and

(i)(j)       work toward establishing and maintaining permanent funding for invasive species priorities.

(2)        The council may receive and, subject to appropriation by the legislature, expend donations, gifts, grants, and other money necessary to fulfill its duties.

(3)        The council shall report on its activities to the governor, the director of the department of natural resources and conservation, and the environmental quality council in accordance with 5-11-210 annually.

(4)          For the purposes of this part, "invasive species" means plants, animals, and pathogens that are nonnative to Montana's ecosystem and cause harm to natural and cultural resources, the economy, and human health."