Study For Transmission Capacity Passes Committee
Roosevelt County Commissioner Gordon Oelkers enjoyed some success testifying for bills in the Montana Legislature last week.
Oelkers testified in opposition of House Bill 420, which was tabled in the House taxation committee by a 21-0 margin.
House Bill 420 dealt with revising tax lien and tax deed laws including revising the time for redemption by an interested party and providing that a tax deed may not be issued until a delinquency exceeds certain equity thresholds.
Oelkers, as vice president of the Montana Association of Counties, testified, “We’re opposing this bill because it needs a lot of amendments to it.” He said they want to protect the equity of homes for taxpayers. More work can be done on the bill so it’s more agreeable during the next legislative session. Oelkers was a proponent of SJ 12, which requests an interim study on electric transmission capacity and to analyze the economic impact on Montana’s citizens and industries.
The bill passed through the energy, technology and federal relations committee, 13-0, and will be heard on the Senate floor. The bill’s sponsor is Sen. Gregg Hunter, SD15. Hunter explained that Montana has the best opportunity, but it’s important to know the state’s capacity moving forward.
Oelkers, a member of the Montana Association of Oil, Coal and Gas Counties, testified that energy transmission will become the backbone of Montana’s energy industry.
“We must plan for the future,” Oelkers said.
