Brothers and Sisters,

We continue with regular hearings on our issues that made it out of the House and Senate. We still have the potential to see a right-to-work bill because it has a means for it to be a revenue generator for the state. The retirement assault is on and we are continually in hearings to watch and see if bills will effect us or if legislators try to amend us into a bill.

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Here is the majority of bills that we are actively tracking with it's status:

HB 131 “Clarify responsibilities for expense recovery rel to orphan hazardous materials” We went and testified in support of this bill being pushed by DES on Monday 21 March, passed committee 8-0 and back to the senate floor for second reading.

HB 231” Repeal requirements for municipalities to hire career paid firefighters” had a hearing in local government committee and was tabled in committee on a 6-3 bipartisan effort. We think we will not hear of this bill for the rest of this session.

HB 307 “Prohibit building codes from requiring some mandatory sprinkler systems” Passed the House and transmitted to senate. Had Hearing in Senate Business and Labor, passed through committee, passed 2nd and 3rd reading in senate has about 10 days then it will hit Gov's desk to be signed into law. Good job to those who's priority was to stop HB 307, thanks for being here.

SB222 “Revise qualifications for firefighters” Passed the Senate and transmitted to the House. Had a very weird hearing on 3/10 in House Local Government, bill will more likely be amended on minor stuff. awaiting executive action.

HB 508 “Require payment of partial salary to injured rural firefighter” Passed house sent to Senate and has a hearing in Senate Local Government on March 24th.

HB 536 “Provide permitting to encourage public private partnerships” Has a hearing in Senate Business & Labor Committee on 3/24/2011 at 9 am.

HB 70 “Revise laws related to public employees retirement system” passed both House and Senate is enrolled and awaiting the Governors signature.

HB119 “Revise laws related to volunteer firefighters compensation” passed House and Senate, enrolled and awaiting the Governor signature.

HB 192 “Adjust exempt retirement amounts for individual income tax” Passed House, is in Senate State Administration awaiting executive action.

HB 346 “Revise monthly pension payable to volunteer firefighter” Passed House, Tabled in Senate State Administration Committee. Probably Dead.

SB223 “Revise volunteer firefighter pensions” passed Senate transmitted to House had hearing on 3/11, Passed Committee and is awaiting 2nd reading on House Floor.

SB 328 “Require PERS new hires to be in DC plan” executive action in committee, amended and awaiting 2nd Reading in Senate.

HB 110 “Generally revise workers' compensation laws” passed house and transmitted to senate, amended and passed Senate, goes back to House for amendment concurrence.

HB 552 “Provide workers' comp to volunteer firefighters and EMS workers” Passed Senate and Amended goes back to House for Concurrence of amendment.

HB 505 “Revise workers compensation for certain firefighter conditions” Working with the Chair of House Business and Labor for Interim Stakeholder Committee Bill that will put like 2 paid firefighters at the table. Looking for interested firefighters.

Please keep our brothers and sisters in Kalispell in mind when you launch out the doors in your big red trucks........ Tough times there; that we all might be getting engaged with. Labor Rally April 1st here at capitol we need a bunch of Firefighters here for that, we are hopping to get about 200 firefighters from around the State......will we re-invigeration of unionism in this state? Let us, Firefighters state wide lead the charge for all to follow! Stay safe and as always............In Solidarity!!!!!!!!!!!