Legislature

Update 5-6-09 Final

Update as of 2/25/2009

SB372 (Revise firefighter laws) - Had a hearing on Friday. The committee tabled the bill in executive action the same day and is dead.

SB373 (Revise firefighter laws) - This is a companion bill to SB372. It had a hearing on Feb 12. The bill deals with the issue of maximum hiring age for firefighters and FURS, and, has MFA support. In a move that caught us by surprise, this bill passed out of committee on Friday. It is probably going to encounter opposition from the career firefighters, however, it has a fighting chance.

HB408 (Presumption of covered diseases for firefighters under work comp.) - This bill had a hearing on Feb 13. The bill was passed out of committee, Friday, after an amendment that removed volunteer firefighters, EMT's and peace officers. The Montana Fire Alliance had been expecting that move and was not supportive of the amendment.

HB517 (Critical incident debriefing) - Had a hearing on Thursday, Feb 18. It passed out of the House
Judiciary Committee, Friday, after being amended to remove the immunity provisions and personal injury type facts from the confidentiality provision. Removing the immunity provisions means that it now does not have to have a "super majority" to pass.

HB461 (Work comp coverage for volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians.) - This bill had a hearing on Monday, Feb 16. This bill sought to obtain a full disability benefit for unemployed, retired or uninsured volunteers and EMT's in the event of a disabling injury. It was tabled by the committee and is now dead.

SB329 (Revise automobile licensing and insurance laws) - Was scheduled to have a hearing on Thursday, Feb 19 but was cancelled. This bill would eliminate virtually all of the "specialty" plates, including the firefighter plate that currently provides significant funding to the Montana State Fire Chiefs Association. The plates would be replaced with a "decal" that would be affixed to a regular plate. The bill looks like it is headed to Senate Taxation, where it can escape the February 26 transmittal date. We will be closely monitoring the bill, but we would expect it to encounter heavy opposition.

Issues we face this upcoming week:

Transmittal date is Thursday, Feb 26. Any non-revenue bills that fail to make the transmittal deadline will be dead. The full House and Senate will be meeting through Thursday, followed by a short recess on Friday and Saturday. The session will resume on Monday, March 2.

The next time you see John Semple, MFA lobbyist, please thank him for his hard work. He has put in a tremendous effort this session on our behalf. The work load has been large and he has risen to the occasion. Thank you, John!!

Fire Service Related Bills

Rep. Bob Ebinger (Livingston) and State Fire Marshal Allen Lorenz look on as Governor Brian Schweitzer signs the Fire Safer Cigarette bill, June 2007.

Individuals attending the bill signing were Doug Neil (Great Falls Fire Rescue, MSFA Lobbyist), Greg Megaard (Fire Marshal, Bozeman), Steve Larson (Fire Chief, Helena), Joe LeLievre (Fire Marshal, Great Falls), Jim Mastin (Fire Chief, Livingston), Chuck Winn (Fire Chief, Bozeman), Rep. Dave McAlpin (Missoula), Pat Clinch (Captain, Helena), D.C. Haas (Assistant Chief, Kalispell), Rep. Bob Bergren (Havre) and Dave Nuss (NFPA).

Letter from Senator J Tester re DOJ administration of PSOB benefits


Legislative Letter to MT Fire Service

Legislative Agenda

For the most current list of proposed legislation affecting the fire service Click Here to be redirected to the Montana Fire Alliance website.