State-Tribal Relations Committee

STRC Opens Formal Public Comment Period for Several Legislative Proposals

Committee: State-Tribal Relations Committee
Author: Hope Stockwell
Posted on July 17, 2018


interior of the Montana State Capitol

During its July 6 conference call, the State-Tribal Relations Committee moved several legislative proposals a step toward consideration by the 2019 Legislature by opening a formal public comment period for them. The topics range from student achievement to missing persons to improving reentry outcomes for American Indian offenders.

Comments should be sent by August 17 to Hope Stockwell at hstockwell@mt.gov (with the name of the proposal in the subject line) or to Legislative Services Division, Attn. Hope Stockwell, PO Box 201704, Helena, MT 59620.

The STRC will review the comments at its September 7 meeting in Helena as it decides which proposals, if any, will become committee-requested bills in the 2019 session.

The proposals include:

Related to the study of improving Indian student achievement:

  • LCELMS - providing funding for school district programs serving English Learners
  • LCMILP - extending the termination date of the Montana Indian Language Preservation Program to June 30, 2023
  • LCCICA - extending the termination date of the Cultural Integrity and Commitment Act to June 30, 2023

Related to the SJ 3 study of increasing access to reentry resources for American Indian offenders:

  • LCsj31 - creating the reentry cultural programming grant program
  • LCsj32 - requiring a percentage of supportive housing grant program funding to be awarded to those serving American Indian offenders

Related to missing persons in Indian Country:

  • LCdoj1 - establishing "Hanna's Act", authorizing the Department of Justice to assist with all missing persons cases
  • LCdoj2 - revising laws related to missing persons reports
  • LCdoj3 - a resolution requesting an interim study of options to break the cycle of youth who run away from home
  • LCdoj4 - requiring a missing child report to be filed in certain custodial interference cases
  • LCFOT2 - requiring the Office of Public Instruction to establish an electronic repository for school photos of children whose parents give permission for the photo to be held and shared with law enforcement if the child goes missing

On July 6, the STRC also voted unanimously to send a letter asking the Bureau of Indian Affairs to address myriad issues related to criminal jurisdiction and enforcement in Indian Country, ranging from improving coordination with other agencies to increasing internal efficiency. The letter grew out of a panel discussion on enforcement and investigation of drug crimes, missing persons, human trafficking, and violence against women in Indian Country that the BIA did not attend in May in Great Falls.

Senate members of the STRC are Jen Gross (D-Billings), Steve Hinebauch (R-Wibaux), Jason Small (R-Busby), and Frank Smith (D-Poplar). House members of the STRC are Alan Doane (Vice Chair, R-Bloomfield), James O'Hara (R-Fort Benton), Rae Peppers (D-Lame Deer), and Sharon Stewart-Peregoy (Chair, D-Crow Agency).

For more information, visit the committee’s website or contact Hope Stockwell, committee staff.

Committee Website: http://leg.mt.gov/tribal
Committee Staff: hstockwell@mt.gov or 406-444-9280