The 10-member Economic Affairs Interim Committee of the legislature will begin hearing from stakeholders in two of its assigned studies and from the alcohol industry at meetings running Feb. 12-13 at the State Capitol in Helena.

On Feb. 12 the Economic Affairs Interim Committee will hear agency presentations from the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce as well as the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the Department of Revenue. A group of alcohol industry stakeholders has been asked to present findings from their meetings on possible changes in alcohol laws. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. in Room 137. A tour of the liquor warehouse is available to committee members at the close of the day.

The next meeting day starts at 8 a.m. and will include information about occupational licensing of applicants with criminal backgrounds. Also on the Feb. 13 agenda are a review of workers' compensation premiums as they relate to covering firefighters with presumptive disease and a discussion about incentives to improve broadband access and affordability.

Members of the bipartisan Economic Affairs Interim Committee are: Representatives Sharon Stewart Peregoy (D-Crow Agency), presiding officer, and Vince Ricci (R-Laurel), vice presiding officer, as well as Josh Kassmier (R-Fort Benton), Derek Harvey (D-Butte), Mark Noland (R-Bigfork), and Katie Sullivan (D-Missoula), olus Senators Jason Ellsworth (R-Hamilton), Nate McConnell (D-Missoula), Frank Smith (D-Poplar), and Gordon Vance (R-Bozeman). 

The meeting will be livestreamed on the legislative website and broadoast over the Montana Public Access Network. For agendas and meeting materials, visit the committee website or contact committee staff. Meeting materials will be posted as they become available.

Committee website: https://leg.mt.gov/committees/interim/2019eaic/
Committee staff: Pat Murdo, 406-444-3594, or pmurdo@mt.gov

The Legislative News.