2017 Montana Legislature Week 8 Update

On Tues, Feb 21, MGGA Treasurer Lyle Benjamin testified before the Senate Ag Committee in opposition to SB 247, a bill that would prohibit the use of neonicotinoid insecticides. In his testimony, Benjamin noted that the active ingredient in neonicotinoids is the only product available to Montana grain producers to target wireworms, which can cause extensive economic damage to farmers. In stating that the bill is overly broad, ambiguous and encourages individual lawsuits, he also noted that the Montana Department of Ag already has a Montana Pollinator Protection Plan in the drafting and comment process that offers a balanced approach to this issue. The bill was amended in committee but failed to pass second reading in the Senate and is probably dead.On Friday, the Senate adjourned for its transmittal break, wrapping up the first half of the 2017 session, and will return on March 6. Bills that will not affect state revenue, or those that do not have fiscal notes, are considered dead unless they have passed out of one house and into the other chamber. The House plans to meet until Wednesday, March 1, before taking its transmittal break and will return March 7.