Montana Legislature (55th: 1997) records, 1996-1997

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Montana. Legislature.
Title
Montana Legislature (55th: 1997) records
Dates
1996-1997 (inclusive)
Quantity
28.8 linear feet of shelf space
Collection Number
LR 55
Summary
Collection contains records (1996-1997) of the 55th Montana Legislature including minutes of Joint, Conference, and Free conference committees; House and Senate standing and select committees; bills and resolutions; journal and status reports; and miscellany. The research should note that audio cassette hearings are only available for Joint committees and House standing committees. For a list of the audio recordings for this session click here: 1997 Legislative Audio Tape Inventory [OVERSIZE MATERIAL: oversize box, map case, and multimedia collection MM 17 and 18].
Repository
Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Montana State Legislature is made up of two chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Constitution of Montana limits the size of the Senate to no fewer than 40 and no more than 50 members and the size of the House of Representatives to no fewer than 80 and no more than 100 members. Each house is responsible for choosing its officers, creating committees and establishing its own rules. The Montana Legislature meets for 90 days every odd numbered year, beginning the first Monday in January, or the following Wednesday if the first Monday is New Years Day. The first State Legislature convened on November 23, 1889, fifteen days after Montana became a state. Each following Legislature has been numbered sequentially.

The 55th Montana Legislature met from January 6th to April 23rd, 1997. The leaders of the Senate were Gary Aklestad (R-President), Bruce Crippen (R-President Pro Tempore), John Harp (R-Majority Leader), and Mike Halligan (D-Minority Leader). The leaders of the House were John Mercer (R-Speaker), Marian Hanson (R-Speaker Pro Tempore), Larry Grinde (R-Majority Leader), and Vicki Cocchiarella (D-Minority Leader).

Sources:The Constitution of the State of Montana as adopted by the Constitutional Convention March 22, 1972, and as ratified by the people, June 6, 1972, referendum no. 68, "A GUIDE TO THE MONTANA LEGISLATURE," The Montana Legislature,; “Montana Legislative Leadership 1889 – Present”.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

These records consist of minutes of Joint, Conference, and Free Conference committees; House and Senate standing and select committees; bills and resolutions; and journal and status reports. The collection also contains miscellany material including a bill subject index, memorial tributes, and a sponsor list.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The Montana Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Research Library before any reproduction use. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

[item description and date]. Montana Legislature (55th: 1997) records, 1996-1997. Legislative Records 55. [box and folder number]. Montana Historical Society Research Center. Archives. Helena, Montana.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is organized into these four series, House and Senate Joint Committees, House of Representatives, Senate, and Miscellany.

The series House and Senate Joint Committees is organized into these five subseries, Joint Subcommittee Minutes (arranged alphabetically by committee name and thereunder chronologically), Joint Committee Minutes (arranged alphabetically by committee name and thereunder chronologically), Joint Select Committee Minutes (arranged alphabetically by committee name and thereunder chronologically), Conference Committee Minutes (arranged numerically by House and then Senate bill number), and Free Conference Committee Minutes (arranged numerically by House and then Senate bill number).

The series House of Representatives is organized into these seven subseries, House Standing Committee Minutes (arranged alphabetically by committee name and thereunder chronologically), House Select Committee Minutes (arranged alphabetically by committee name and thereunder chronologically), House Bills (arranged numerically by bill number), House Joint Resolutions (arranged numerically by bill number), House Resolutions (arranged numerically by bill number), House Bill Status Reports (arranged chronologically), and House Journals (arranged chronologically).

The series Senate is organized into these six subseries, Senate Standing Committee Minutes (arranged alphabetically by committee name and thereunder chronologically), Senate Bills (arranged numerically by bill number), Senate Joint Resolutions (arranged numerically by bill number), Senate Resolutions (arranged numerically by bill number), Senate Bill Status Reports (arranged chronologically), and Senate Journals (arranged chronologically).

Location of Collection

53:5-3

Acquisition Information

Acquisition information available upon request.

Processing Note

Connie Geiger processed the collection in 1997.

Separated Materials

OVERSIZE MATERIAL: oversize box, map case, and multimedia collection

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

House and Senate Joint CommitteesReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Joint Subcommittee Minutes
Box/Folder
1 / 1-17
Appropriations: Education and Cultural Resources [folder 1 includes subject index; folder 17 includes committee reference material]
1997 January 7 - February 20
1 / 18-28
Appropriations: General Government [folder 18 includes subject index]
1997 January 7 - February 10
2 / 1-4
Appropriations: General Government [exhibits from February 12, 14, and 17 include OVERSIZE MATERIAL: see oversize box, folder 1]
1997 February 11-19
2 / 5-26
Appropriations: Human Services and Aging
1997 January 7 - March 5
2 / 27-30
Appropriations: Institutions
1997 January 7-24
3 / 1-10
Appropriations: Institutions
1997 January 27 - February 20
3 / 11-24
Appropriations: Long-Range Planning [includes subject index; exhibits from January 7, 9, and 23 include OVERSIZE MATERIAL: see oversize box, folder 1]
1997 January 7-29
4 / 1-6
Appropriations: Long-Range Planning [exhibits from February 5 include OVERSIZE MATERIAL: see oversize box, folder 1]
1997 Jan 30 - February 6
4 / 7
Appropriations: Long-Range Planning, WITH Joint Subcommittee on Natural Resources
1997 February 10
4 / 8-15
Appropriations: Long-Range Planning [exhibits from February 11, 17 and 19 include OVERSIZE MATERIAL: see oversize box, folder 1]
1997 February 11-20
4 / 16-25
Appropriations: Natural Resources [exhibits from January 30 include OVERSIZE MATERIAL: see oversize box, folder 1]
1997 January 7-31
5 / 1-8
Appropriations: Natural Resources [see also Joint Long-Range Planning, February 10, 1997]
1997 February 3-20
Joint Committee Minutes
Box/Folder
5 / 9-10
Rules
1996 December 12, 1997 January 13
Joint Select Committee Minutes
Box/Folder
5 / 11
Committee to Discuss Board of Regents / Land Board Issues
1997 February 6
5 / 12-30
Corrections [includes bill index; and minutes from House Select Committee on Corrections, and Juvenile Justice Subcommittee]
1997 January 8 - March10
Conference Committee Minutes
Box/Folder
5 / 31
HB 27 (re prohibiting interference with medical communications by persons providing health care services in a managed care setting)
1997 April 10
5 / 32
HB 99 (re revising traffic regulations in a highway construction area)
1997 April 15
5 / 33
HB 117 (re credit disability insurance requirements for credit card indebtedness)
1997 April 14
5 / 34
HB 135 (re revising laws governing the Board of Pardons and Parole)
1997 April 16
5 / 35
HB 345 (re adopting the Workforce Drug and Alcohol Testing Act)
1997 April 16
5 / 36
HB 346 (re revising mandatory motor vehicle insurance laws) [for exhibit materials see Free Conference Committee minutes]
1997 April 14
5 / 37
HB 389 (re providing greater public participation in agency rulemaking) [for exhibit materials see Free Conference Committee minutes]
1997 April 14
5 / 38
HB 584 (re creating an orphan share account for Environmental Cleanup and Responsibility Act sites)
1997 April 18
5 / 39
SB 44 (re clarifying and limiting liability of motor vehicle liability insurers)
1997 April 15, 17
5 / 40
SB 71 (re revising the duties of elected school officials)
1997 April 16
5 / 41
SB 99 (re revising juvenile justice laws)
1997 April 10
5 / 42
SB 207 (re authorizing Board of Investments to obligate funds for acquiring property or constructing school facilities)
1997 April 16
5 / 43
SB 251 (re workers' compensation for students)
1997 April 16
5 / 44
SB 256 (re creating the offence of assault on a peace officer or judicial officer)
1997 April 2
5 / 45
SB 272 (re extending inheritance tax exemption for stepchildren)
1997 April 17, 19
5 / 46
SB 283 (re requiring social workers to interview parents in child abuse and neglect cases)
1997 April 16
5 / 47
SB 296 (re allowing members of the teachers' retirement system to qualify for Montana University System Extension Service)
1997 April 14
5 / 48
SB 339 (re clarifying review of certain parcel divisions)
1997 April 14, 17
5 / 49
SB 367 (re establishing the Reasonable Spending for Responsive Government Act)
1997 April 22-23
5 / 50
SB 381 (re excluding of certain provisions from group and individual uniform health benefit plans)
1997 April 15
Free Conference Committee Minutes
Box/Folder
6 / 1-4
HB 2 (re appropriations to state agencies)
1997 April 16-23
6 / 5
HB 5 (re appropriations for capital projects)
1997 April 19
6 / 6
HB 13 (re directing the Department of Administration to develop an alternative compensation system for state employees)
1997 April 18-19
6 / 7
HB 14 (re the issuance of general obligation bonds)
1997 April 18
6 / 8
HB 17 (re tuition waivers pursuant to the Montana National Guard Education Benefit Program)
1997 April 17
6 / 9
HB 78 (re revising laws governing liquor licenses and license administration)
1997 April 11
6 / 10
HB 83 (re regulation of private correctional facilities)
1997 April 16
6 / 11
HB 102 (re state correctional and sentencing policy)
1997 April 16
6 / 12
HB 122 (re filing fee requirements of prisoners filing complaints in civil proceedings)
1997 April 14-17
6 / 13
HB 131 (re revising state insurance laws)
1997 April 11
6 / 14
HB 164 (re revising occupational licensing laws)
1997 April 16
6 / 15
HB 188 (re the issuance of general obligation bonds)
1997 April 17
6 / 16
HB 252 (re revising laws governing contractors and independent contractors)
1997 April 18
6 / 17
HB 285 (re revising membership of the Flathead Basin Commission)
1997 April 14
6 / 18
HB 339 (re changing the penalties for drunk driving)
1997 April 15
6 / 19
HB 346 (re revising mandatory motor vehicle insurance laws)
1997 April 16
6 / 20
HB 369 (re revising local government law)
1997 April 16
6 / 21
HB 388 (re defining and revising building code law terms)
1997 April 16
6 / 22
HB 389 (re providing greater public participation in agency rulemaking)
1997 April 16
6 / 23
HB 398 (re revising laws governing lease with option to purchase for state buildings)
1997 April 17
6 / 24
HB 517 (re requiring prior authorization of employees and/or members before withholdings are diverted for political purposes)
1997 April 16
6 / 25
HB 547 (re requiring proceeds from sale of wild game meat obtained illegally be appropriated to the Montana Food Bank Network via Department of Public Health and Human Services)
1997 April 16
6 / 26
HB 578 (re eliminating the Montana Board of Science and Technology Development)
1997 April 19
6 / 27
SB 48 (re revising the Youth Court Act)
1997 April 7
6 / 28
SB 57 (re revising the classification, valuation, and taxation of motor vehicles)
1997 April 18
6 / 29
SB 85 (re revising the laws pertaining to motor vehicle equipment)
1997 April 14
6 / 30-31
SB 195 (re phasing in property reappraisal cycle)
1997 April 12, 14-17
6 / 32
SB 374 (re implementing child support provisions of the Federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act)
1997 April 18, 21-23

House of Representatives Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
House Standing Committee Minutes
Box/Folder
6 / 33-40
Agriculture
1997 January 7 - March 27
6 / 41-50
Appropriations [see also Senate Finance and Claims Committee, January 9, 1997]
1997 January 7 - February 19
7 / 1-11
Appropriations
1997 March 4- April 11
7 / 12-13
Appropriations: committee resource materials - "House Bill 2 Narrative"
1997
7 / 14-28
Business and Labor [includes minutes of Subcommittee on Occupational and Professional Licensing; and exhibits from January 28 include OVERSIZE MATERIAL: see oversize box, folder 2]
1997 January 8 - February 4
8 / 1-21
Business and Labor [exhibits from March 6 include OVERSIZE MATERIAL: see oversize box, folder 2]
1997 February 5 - March 6
9 / 1-13
Business and Labor
1997 March 7 - April 7
9 / 14-25
Education [folder 14 includes bill index]
1997 January 10 - March 24
9 / 26-29
Fish, Wildlife, and Parks [folder 26 includes bill index]
1997 January 7-30
10 / 1-10
Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
1997 February 4 - April 8
10 / 11-29
Human Services [see also Senate Public Health, Welfare and Safety, January 8, 1997]
1997 January 10 - April 23
11 / 1-29
Judiciary [folder 1 includes bill index; exhibits from February 4 include MULTIMEDIA: see MM 17]
1997 January 7 - March 14
12 / 1-11
Judiciary [includes Subcommittee minutes from April 10, 11, and 14]
1997 March 20 - April 14
12 / 12-21
Local Government [folder 12 includes bill index]
1997 January 14 - April 8
12 / 22-24
Natural Resources [folder 22 includes bill index]
1997 January 8-20
12 / 25
Natural Resources [includes Senate Natural Resources committee]
1997 January 21
12 / 26-31
Natural Resources [exhibits for February 10 includes OVERSIZE MATERIAL: see map case]
1997 January 22 - February 10
13 / 1-5
Natural Resources [includes Subcommittee minutes from February 13 and 19]
1997 February 12 - March 5
13 / 6
Natural Resources [exhibits from March 10 include OVERSIZE MATERIAL: see oversize box, folder 2]
1997 March 7, 10
13 / 7-10
Natural Resources [includes Subcommittee minutes from April 2 re SB 315; for exhibit no. 2 from April 2 see exhibit no.11 of Senate Natural Resources, February 17]
1997 March 12 - April 4
13 / 11-12
Rules [folder 11 includes bill index]
1997 February 10, March 14
13 / 13-33
State Administration [folder 13 includes bill index; includes Subcommittee minutes for January 30 and February 4, 12, and 13]
1997 January 8 - March 21
14 / 1-2
State Administration
1997 March 27, April 9
14 / 3-6
State/Federal Relations [folder 3 includes bill index]
1997 January 28 - March 6
14 / 7-10
Taxation [folder 7 includes bill index]
1997 January 7-15
14 / 11
Taxation WITH Senate Taxation Committee
1997 January 16
14 / 12-16
Taxation
1997 January 17-28
14 / 17
Taxation [includes Senate Taxation committee]
1997 January 29
14 / 18-38
Taxation [for exhibit nos.7 from March 20 see House Business and Labor exhibits nos. 10 and 11 from March 6]
1997 January 30 - March 25
15 / 1-7
Taxation
1997 March 27- April 19
15 / 8-19
Transportation [folder 8 includes bill index]
1997 January 8- March 24
House Select Committee Minutes
Corrections [SEE Joint Select Committee on Corrections]
House Bills
Box/Folder
15 / 20-31
Bill nos. 1-110
1997
16 / 1-19
Bill nos. 111-375
1997
17 / 1-16
Bill nos. 376-616
1997
House Joint Resolutions
Box/Folder
17 / 17
Bill nos. 1-33
1997
House Resolutions
Box/Folder
17 / 18
Bill no. 1
1997
House Bill Status Reports
Box/Folder
17 / 19-22
1st-75th Legislative Day
1997 January 2 - April 9
18 / 1
76th-88th Legislative Day
1997 April 10-24
House Journals
Box/Folder
18 / 2-7
1st-87th Legislative Day
1997 January 6 - April 24

Senate Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Senate Standing Committee Minutes
Box/Folder
18 / 8-25
Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation [exhibits from February 10 include OVERSIZE MATERIAL: see oversize box, folders 3 and 4]
1997 January 10 - March 19
19 / 1-32
Business and Industry [exhibits from March 13 include OVERSIZE MATERIAL: see oversize box, folder 5]
1997 January 7 - April 10
19 / 33
Committee on Committees
1997 March 7
19 / 34-41
Education and Cultural Resources
1997 January 8 - February 10
20 / 1-11
Education and Cultural Resources
1997 February 12 - April 18
20 / 12
Finance and Claims [includes House Appropriations]
1997 January 9
20 / 13-43
Finance and Claims [includes Subcommittee minutes for March 6, and 10-13]
1997 January 9 - April 9
21 / 1-2
Finance and Claims
1997 April 10-11
21 / 3-13
Fish and Game
1997 January 9 - April 10
21 / 14-29
Highways and Transportation [includes Subcommittee minutes for January 24]
1997 January 7 - April 17
21 / 30-46
Judiciary
1997 January 7 - February 5
22 / 1-31
Judiciary [exhibits from March 20 include MULTIMEDIA: see MM 18]
1997 February 6 - April 16
22 / 32-39
Labor and Employment Relations [includes Subcommittee minutes from January 21]
1997 January 7 - February 4
23 / 1-15
Labor and Employment Relations [exhibits for February 18 include OVERSIZE MATERIAL: see oversize box, folder 5]
1997 February 6 - April 15
23 / 16
Legislative Administration
1997 January 13-27
23 / 17-37
Local Government [exhibits for January 28 include OVERSIZE MATERIAL: see oversize box, folder 5]
1997 January 7 - April 17
24 / 1-30
Natural Resources [exhibits from February 14 and 17 include OVERSIZE MATERIAL: see oversize box folder 5, and map case; see also House Natural Resources, January 21, 1997]
1997 January 8 - April 9
24 / 31
Public Health, Welfare, and Safety [includes House Human Services]
1997 January 8
24 / 32-43
Public Health, Welfare, and Safety
1997 January 10 - February 17
25 / 1-15
Public Health, Welfare, and Safety
1997 February 18 - April 7
25 / 16-18
Rules
1996 December 12, 1997 January 13, March 14
25 / 19-39
State Administration
1997 January 7 - February 19
26 / 1-18
State Administration
1997 February 20 - April 16
26 / 19-47
Taxation [see also House Taxation, January 29, 1997]
1997 January 8 - March 24
27 / 1-9
Taxation [folder 6 includes information hearing for April 9]
1997 March 25 - April 17
Senate Bills
Box/Folder
27 / 10-23
Bill nos. 1-115
1997
28 / 1-21
Bill nos. 116-390 [appendix to SB 175 includes map of Water Rights Compact, Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River, see OVERSIZE MATERIAL: map case]
1997
29 / 1
Bill nos. 391-397
1997
Senate Joint Resolutions
Box/Folder
29 / 2
Bill nos. 1-20
1997
Senate Resolutions
Box/Folder
29 / 3
Bill nos. 1-20
1997
Senate Bill Status Reports
Box/Folder
29 / 4-6
1st-88th Legislative Day
1997 January 2- April 24
Senate Journals
Box/Folder
29 / 7
1st-30th Legislative Day
1997 January 6 - February 8
30 / 1-4
31st-87th Legislative Day
1997 February 9 - April 23

MiscellanyReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
30 / 5
Bill subject index
1997
30 / 6
Memorial tributes
1997
30 / 7
Sponsor list
1997 April 10

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Bills, Legislative--Montana.
  • Legislative bodies--Committees--Montana.

Geographical Names

  • Montana--Politics and government.