HomeMy WebLinkAbout092926F Legislative Session PresentationCity of Bozeman
State Legislative Engagement
October 6, 2026
Bozeman City Commission
Background
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2019 2021 2023 2025
Regular Session Bill Statistics
Drafts Introduced Adopted 44951759771BILL DRAFTS INTRODUCED REVIEWED
2025 BILLS
How City staff makes decisions on bills
Bill Draft
Title Review
•Bill tracker software displays new bills
•Econ Dev staff assigns to relevant staff
•Software automatically adds bill to “tracker”
Staff Review
Bill Prioritization
•Staff provides notes on bill draft
•Staff assigns position (support/oppose)
•Staff prioritizes bill on scale 1-5
Bill Hearing
Action Decided
•Lobbyist Testifies
•Staff Testifies
• Lobbyist or staff reach out to legislators
Weekly Meeting
Core Team Review
•Bills with upcoming hearings discussed
•Focus on bills with priority 1-3
•Discuss support/oppose/amend
Questions to consider during the process
•How will this bill impact existing City operations?
•How will this bill impact adopted City plans?
•Will this bill provide more resources to existing programs?
•Do we have a staff expert with unique testimony?
Bill P riorities
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Highest priority Bills affecting current City operations and services.
Next priority Bills affecting implementation of adopted City plans.
Additional interests Bills offering benefits beyond what staff relies on to
maintain current services.
Public Reporting and Accountability
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Weekly website
updates
Staff testimony, submitted written comments and a list of
bills reviewed.
COPP Reports Monthly reports, plus reports at transmittal and the end of
the session.
Coalitions and Partnerships
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Partners extend the City’s reach and create opportunities for proactive
work.
Examples :
Montanans United for Sustainable Taxation
Regional Housing Coalition
Montana Library Association
Montana Infrastructure Coalition
Montana League of Cities and Towns
Focus Areas and Session Outlook
Interim update:
Outlook for upcoming session:
•Property tax tweaks
•Local government audit costs
•Economic development policy
•Water
•State budget forecast
•Income tax policy
•Protecting local decision making
•School funding
•Water