The following is a list of bills pertaining to State Lands that MEIC followrf at the 2007 Legislature, and their final status:

SB 391 (Sen. Dan Weinburg, D-Whitefish): This bill would have allowed conservation easements on state school trust lands. MEIC position: SUPPORT. SEE FACT SHEET ON SB 391.

• (H) 2nd Reading Concur as Amended Motion Failed 49-50 on 4/16/07.

SB 363 (Sen. Christine Kaufmann, D-Helena): This is a critical bill to address the concerns raised during the debate over Initiative 154. The proponents of that initiative argued that it was necessary to prevent local governments from condemning private property because it is a “blight” and then subsequently selling the property to a private developer. What proponents of the initiative failed to tell the public was that the Montana Supreme Court had already ruled that such condemnation is illegal in Montana. SB 363 simply codifies that Supreme Court decision in law. The next time proponents of an initiative such as I-154 want to push their real agenda—to dramatically reduce the power of government by requiring payment whenever a regulation limits the use of property—they’ll have to come up with a new sales pitch. MEIC position: SUPPORT.

• Passed by Legislature — Signed into Law by Governor Schweitzer.
  

HB 415 (Rep. Michele Reinhart, D-Missoula): This bill allows local governments to require parkland dedication for minor subdivisions. This is important because much of Montana’s subdivision activity involves minor subdivisions (five or fewer lots). This bill allows local governments to consider whether a sufficient need exists to require those developers to dedicate parkland for the benefit of the subdivision. MEIC position: SUPPORT.

• Passed by Legislature —signed by Governor 04/26/2007.  Became law.