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<\/a>Zach Brown<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cStudent loan debt is a big issue facing our economy in general,\u201d Brown said. \u201cIt\u2019s holding back young professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brown said the issue is particularly relevant to the agriculture industry, which he described as \u201caging.\u201d According to the latest statistics from the USDA\u2019s Ag Census<\/a>, which is done every five years, the average age of the American farmer in 2012 was 58. That\u2019s five years older than the average age in 1992.<\/p>\n HB 631 would be administered through Montana\u2019s Growth Through Agriculture grant program, created by the 1987 Legislature to \u201cstrengthen and diversify\u201d agriculture by helping fund projects across the state. The bill would create a new division called the \u201cMontana Farmer Loan Repayment Assistance Program.\u201d It would require at least 51 percent of the recipient\u2019s income to be generated through farming.<\/p>\n Eligibility for repayment of student loans would take into account factors like financial need, the likelihood of remaining in the farming industry and whether or not applicants belonged to groups underrepresented in the industry. No one opposed the bill\u00a0at the hearing.<\/p>\n Supporters of HB 631 said the bill would help revitalize Montana\u2019s farming industry by bringing in younger workers.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not keeping up with our aging population by getting young people back in the industry,\u201d said Chelcie Cargill, representing the Montana Farm Bureau.<\/p>\n Kori Anderson of the Montana Stockgrowers Association said the bill would only benefit Montana farmers.<\/p>\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t for out-of-state students trying to get their loans paid off so they can have a ranch in Montana,\u201d Anderson said.<\/p>\n The committee took no immediate action on the bill.<\/p>\n A bill making its way through the Montana Legislature would expand a program that the bill\u2019s sponsor says could create incentives for new hunters to take hunter\u2019s safety.<\/p>\n Senate Bill 218<\/a>, introduced by Rep. Mark Blasdel, R-Kalispell, would allow anyone between the ages of 10 and 32 to obtain an apprentice hunting license, which requires new hunters to hunt only in the presence of a mentor, age 21 or older.<\/p>\n The bill also would clarify provisions of current law that previously could have prohibited 10- and 11-year-old hunters from obtaining apprentice licenses, and would prevent such hunters from holding black bear, mountain lion and wolf licenses.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to incentivize these kids to go get hunter\u2019s ed, so they\u2019re limited on what they can hunt,\u201d Blasdel said.<\/p>\n Blasdel said the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks held a vote after the bill\u2019s passage last session to allow 10- and 11-year-old hunters to obtain apprentice licenses after it was discovered the bill\u2019s original language would prevent them from doing so. This bill would put that temporary ruling into law.<\/p>\n \u201cThis really helps bring this program into focus, refine it, make it something that can work,\u201d said Ben Lamb, representing the Montana Wildlife Federation.<\/p>\n Mac Minard, executive director of the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, said the addition of adults younger than 32 to the program makes sense as Montana\u2019s population increases.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re constantly wrestling with the notion that people moving in may want to enjoy the things that we have,\u201d Minard said. \u201cThis gives them an opportunity for that new neighbor to come over with you, enjoy something in a very controlled setting, and then buy in, become part of that cultural fabric.\u201d<\/p>\n The committee did not take any immediate action on the bill.<\/p>\n Cary Smith<\/p><\/div>\n With health insurance costs rising, one lawmaker is proposing a solution that would allow Montana residents to purchase health care plans from other states.<\/p>\n Senate Bill 340<\/a>, introduced by Sen. Cary Smith, R-Billings, passed the House Human Services Committee last week. The bill would allow out-of-state providers to sell plans within Montana. Smith said it would\u00a0\u201chelp to drive down the cost of health insurance.\u201d<\/p>\n Smith said that the bill provides measures to ensure providers are in good standing in their home state, and that the insurance commissioner would be responsible for allowing providers to sell policies.<\/p>\n \u201cWe think that more competition in Montana will bring cost down, [and] allow consumers more choice in finding the policy that will suit their lifestyle and their needs,\u201d said supporter Zach MacQuarrie, representing Americans for Prosperity.<\/p>\n Critics\u00a0of SB 340 said it would open the door for confusion and the possibility of purchasing a plan that doesn\u2019t cover necessary services.\u00a0Al Smith, representing Montana Trial Lawyers, said buyers will tend to opt for the lowest cost, regardless of whether it covers essential services. He also said mandated services vary from state to state, and therefore plan to plan.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not talking about car insurance. If you screw up on your car insurance and don\u2019t get comprehensive, you\u2019re out a car,\u201d Al said. \u201cIf you screw up on one of these and don\u2019t have the proper insurance, you could be losing a family member.\u201d<\/p>\n The bill passed on a vote of 9-6. It will now be heard by the House.<\/p>\n The Senate amended and passed a bill last week that would increase the number of barrels a brewery can produce and still be able to sell in a taproom.<\/p>\nHunting program could expand<\/b><\/h5>\n
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<\/a><\/div><\/div>The Apprentice Hunter Program was created by the 2015 legislature. The license is only applicable for two years, after which the hunter must complete a hunter safety and education course.<\/p>\nInsurance bill advances<\/b><\/h5>\n
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<\/a>Brewery laws spark controversy<\/b><\/h5>\n