MEDA Legislative Agenda

for 2005 Session

as of November 29, 2004

Bills MEDA will take the lead on:

¨ Creation & Funding of an Economic Development Trust Fund (LC 204)

¨ Improving State’s Current “New Industry” Property Tax Incentives (SB 19 - Mangan)

¨ Exempting Economic Development Levies from Local Government Spending Caps (LC 398)

¨ Making Board of Investments Infrastructure Tax Credits Marketable (SB 15 - Mangan)

¨ Creation & Funding of an Incumbent Worker Job Training Program (LC 932)

¨ Allowing Board of Investments to Make Secondary Purchase of Local RLF Loans at a Reduced Interest Rate (LC 521)

¨ Appropriations to Support a Montana Marketing Assistance Program

¨ Creating & Funding a Strong Montana Business Marketing / Recruitment

¨ Funding economic development coordination and communication effort through Department of Commerce and MEDA

Bills MEDA will support:

¨ Supporting a Venture (“Equity”) Capital Bill

¨ Developing an Energy Policy for the State of Montana

¨ Eliminating the “trigger” on further Business Equipment Tax valuation reductions and increasing the exemption threshold

¨ Creation of a State-wide Mainstreet Program

¨ Making minor adjustments to Tax Increment

¨ Modifying the Aerospace bonding program

¨ Monitor!

¨ Native American Economic Development

¨ Film Industry Incentives

¨ Treasure State Endowment Improvements

¨ Additional bills are pending