2017acuratings.conservative.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/...4 AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION...

2017

Letter from the Chairman .......................................... 2

ACU & ACUF Board Members .................................. 3

Selecting the Votes .................................................... 3

2017 Winners & Losers .............................................. 4

MT Senate Statistics .................................................. 5

MT Senate Vote Descriptions .................................... 6

MT Senate Scores ...................................................... 8

MT House Statistics ................................................. 10

MT House Vote Descriptions ................................... 11

MT House Scores .................................................... 13

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RATINGS of MONTANARATINGS of MONTANA

ACUConservative Conservative.org@ACUFoundation

#ACURatings

2

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of Montana

Dear Fellow Conservative,

The American Conservative Union Foundation is proud to present our ratings of the 2017 meeting of the Montana Legislature. Like our Congressional Ratings, which date back 46 years, these ratings are meant to reflect how elected officials view the role of government in an individual’s life. We begin with our philosophy (conservatism is the political philosophy that sovereignty resides in the person) and then apply our understanding of government (its essential role is to defend life, liberty and property).

Because our ratings are designed to educate the public about how consistently their elected officials adhere to conservatism, we carefully examine the entire docket of legislation introduced in each state every year. We select the most meaningful bills and publish the results after the dust has settled. The ACU Foundation is the only organization to score over 8,000 elected officials each year, including lawmakers from all 50 states and Congress.

The 2016 election dramatically impacted the political landscape of not only Washington but state legislative chambers all across the country. Republicans now have control of both legislative chambers in 32 states, more than double the number they controlled in 2010. With these victories comes an ability to implement policies that restore individual liberty and return us to a limited form of government run by and for “We the People.”

It is our hope that these ratings will serve as a guide showing who can be relied on to fight for conservative principles and restore the role of government to what our nation’s founding fathers envisioned.

Sincerely,

Matt SchlappChairmanAmerican Conservative Union

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

3


SELECTING THE VOTES

ACU researched and selected a range of bills before the Montana Legislature that determine a member’s adherence to conservative principles. We selected bills that focus on Ronald Reagan’s philosophy of the “three-legged stool”: 1) fiscal and economic: taxes, budgets, regulation, spending, healthcare, and property; 2) social and cultural: 2nd amendment, religion, life, welfare, and education; and 3) government integrity: voting, individual liberty, privacy, and transparency. This wide range of issues are designed to give citizens an accurate assessment that conveys which of Montana’s elected leaders best defend the principles of a free society: Life, Liberty and Property.

201 N. Union Street, Suite 370Alexandria, VA 22314(202) 347-9388

Matt Schlapp Chairman

Charlie Gerow First Vice Chairman

Bob Beauprez Treasuer

Amy Frederick Secretary

Ed Yevoli At-Large

Jackie Arends

Larry Beasley

Kimberly Bellissimo

Steve Biegun

Morton C. Blackwell

John Bolton

Jose Cardenas

Ron Christie

Muriel Coleman

Becky Norton Dunlop

John Eddy

Luis Fortuno

Alan M. Gottlieb

Van D. Hipp, Jr.

Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser

Michael R. Long

Ed McFadden

Carolyn D. Meadows

Priscilla O'Shaughnessy

Ron Robinson

Mike Rose

Ned Ryun

Peter Samuelson

Sabrina Schaeffer

Terry Schilling

Matt Smith

Thomas Winter

ACU BOARD MEMBERS

Matt Schlapp Chairman

Millie Hallow Vice Chairman

Van D. Hipp, Jr. Treasurer

Kimberly Bellissimo Secretary

Jose Cardenas

Jonathan Garthwaite

Charlie Gerow

Colin Hanna

Niger Innes

Adam Laxalt

Willes K. Lee

Mary Matalin

Carolyn D. Meadows

Randy Neugebauer

Thomas Winter

ACUF BOARD MEMBERS

4


2017 WINNERS & LOSERS

SENATE

BLASDELBROWNFIELDERFITZPATRICKHINEBAUCHKARYOLSZEWSKIREGIERSALESSMITH, C.SWANDALTHOMASVANCEWEBB

90-100% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE EXCELLENCE

HOUSE

BEARDBERGLEEBRODEHLBROWN, B.BURNETTCUFFEDOANEEHLIESSMANNFLYNN

HOUSE

GALTGLIMMGUNDERSONHERTZ, G.JONESKNUDSEN, A.KNUDSEN, C.LENZMORTENSENNOLAND

HOUSE

REDFIELDREGIERRICCIROSENDALESKEESTREBASTSCHIDAVINTONWAGONER

SENATE

HINKLEHOWARDKEENANLANGMOOREOSMUNDSONVINCENT

HOUSE

BALLANCEBARTELHARRISHERTZ, A.HOLMLUNDLAVINMANDEVILLEMANZELLA

HOUSE

MCKAMEYO'HARAPATELIS

STAFFANSONUSHERWEBBWHITE

80-89% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT

SENATE

BolandCohenourFaceyGrossMacdonaldMcnallySands

10% COALITION OF THE RADICAL LEFT

HOUSE

AbbottBachmeierBennettBishopCourtCurdy

HOUSE

CurtisDudikDunwellEckEllisFleming

HOUSE

FunkHamiltonHaymanKarjalaMorigeauOlsen

HOUSE

PriceRyanSchreinerSwansonWebberWoods

<=

5


MONTANA SENATE STATISTICS

58%OVERALL AVERAGE

LOWEST REPUBLICAN

84%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE

12%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE

MALEKMcCLAFFERTYVUCKOVICH21%

HIGHEST DEMOCRATS

MONTANA SENATE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS

RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS

30

25

20

15

10

5

090-100%

2017 ACU PERCENTAGE

# OF STATE

SENATORS

0-9% 10-19% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89%20-29%

SALOMON59%

6


1. SB 32 Repealing Renewable Energy Mandates. This bill repeals the Community Renewable Energy Project which mandates utility companies obtain a percentage of their energy from “renewable” sources. ACU supports all forms of energy, does not believe government should favor one form of energy over another and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on January 25, 2017 by a vote of 31-19.

2. SB 101 Repealing the Ethanol Mandate. This bill repeals the state mandate that requires gasoline be blended with ethanol. ACU opposes these mandates that interfere with a consumers’ right to decide what fuel they buy and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on January 25, 2017 by a vote of 48-2.

3. SB 7 Eliminating Solar Energy Subsidies. This bill ends the harmful subsidy program for solar energy users. Currently, customers who use “renewable sources” of energy are able to take advantage of a “net metering” process that requires utility companies to buy their excess, unused energy, resulting in other customers paying higher rates. ACU supports all forms of energy, does not believe that government should favor one form of energy over another, and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on January 26, 2017 by a vote of 31-18 but it was vetoed by the governor.

4. SB 100 Authorizing Direct Primary Health Care. This bill allows doctors and patients to make their own healthcare arrangements while avoiding burdensome regulations. The Senate passed the bill on January 30, 2017 by a vote of 35-14 but it was vetoed by the governor.

5. HB 262 Expanding Concealed Carry. This bill allows an individual to carry a concealed firearm if they are otherwise lawfully entitled to possess a firearm. ACU supports the founder’s belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 15, 2017 by a vote of 31-18 but it was vetoed by the governor.

6. HB 246 Permitting Firearms in Federal Buildings. This bill allows lawful gun owners to carry a firearm into a U.S. Post Office or store it in a vehicle in a postal office parking lot. ACU supports the founder’s belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 15, 2017 by a vote of 32-17 but it was vetoed by the governor.

7. SB 98 Protecting Property Rights. This bill requires state and local governments either to reimburse a property owner if a regulation decreases the value of that property or waive the regulation for that property owner. The ACU Foundation’s Center for 21st Century Property Rights staunchly defends the property rights of American citizens which are inherently protected by the U.S. Constitution. ACU supports the protection of property against government overreach and supported this bill. The Senate defeated the bill on February 22, 2017 by a vote of 20-30.

8. SB 190 Expanding Energy Regulations. This bill requires the state to develop a plan to replace the failed Obama-era federal Cap and Trade and Clean Power Plan programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. ACU opposes programs that needlessly drive up the cost of energy for everyone and opposed this bill. The Senate defeated the bill on March 21, 2017 by a vote of 18-32.

9. SB 340 Permitting the Purchase of Health Insurance Across State Lines. This bill allows consumers in Montana to purchase health insurance across state lines. ACU supports a free market in health insurance and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 25, 2017 by a vote of 30-18 but it was vetoed by the governor.

10. HB 266 Joining an Interstate Healthcare Compact. This bill allows Montana to join with other states in an interstate healthcare compact to return power from the federal government to the states. ACU supports efforts to strengthen state control over healthcare after the federal takeover by Obamacare and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 25, 2017 by a vote of 30-18 but it was vetoed by the governor.

11. SB 352 Prohibiting Ballot Bundling. This bill prohibits the collection of another’s ballot with the purpose of turning it over to election officials, but provides exceptions for caregivers, family members, and members of the same households. ACU supports strengthening ballot integrity, opposes the practice of ballot bundling by campaign workers and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 30, 2017 by a vote of 31-18.

12. SB 354 Increasing the Cigarette Tax. This bill almost doubles the cigarette tax and increases the tax on snuff by 50%. ACU opposes tax increases to pay for increased spending and singling out a legal product for draconian tax increases and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 30, 2017 by a vote of 27-22.

MONTANA SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

7


13. SB 337 Reducing the Size of Government. This bill eliminates a duplicative government entity, the Montana Board of Environmental Review, whose duties are already being carried out by the Department of Environmental Quality. ACU supports reducing government spending by eliminating unnecessary government programs and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 30, 2017 by a vote of 33-17 but it was vetoed by the governor.

14. HB 205 Leveling the Playing Field Via Electric Vehicle Fees. This bill applies a new $90 registration fee to electric vehicles. ACU, while opposing new, unneeded taxes for infrastructure programs, supports a level playing field for those who will not be paying the new increase in the gas tax while benefiting from road and bridge improvements and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 8, 2017 by a vote of 28-18 but it was vetoed by the governor.

15. HB 652 Reforming Obamacare. This bill allows the state to apply for a federal waiver from Obamacare regulations and sets up high-risk pools for high-risk consumers, such as those with pre-existing conditions. The bill is intended to stop the practice under Obamacare that forces low-risk consumers to subsidize high-risk consumers through larger premiums and deductibles. ACU supports the repeal of Obamacare and efforts that provide states greater control over healthcare and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 12, 2017 by a vote of 34-16 but it was vetoed by the governor.

16. HB 631 Providing Taxpayer-Funded Student Loan Forgiveness. This bill establishes a loan repayment assistance program that forgives up to 50% of the cumulative student loan debts of individuals who decide to become farmers. ACU opposes government favoring one profession over another for government help and opposed this bill. The Senate defeated the bill on April 12, 2017 by a vote of 22-28.

17. SB 155 Prohibiting the Regulation of Agricultural Seeds. This bill prevents local governments from setting up their own regulatory system regarding agricultural seeds. ACU recognizes that a patchwork of regulations is harmful to individuals and businesses such as in western states where local governments have banned genetically modified crops and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 13, 2017 by a vote of 36-14.

18. HB 473 Increasing the State Gas Tax. This bill increases the state gas tax by 6 cents a gallon and the diesel fuel tax by 2 cents a gallon. The revenue will be directed into both the general treasury and infrastructure projects. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes tax increases to pay for a massive increase in the size of government (1,200 new state employees since 2015) and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 13, 2017 by a vote of 28-22.

19. HB 391 Establishing an Earned Income Tax Credit. This bill sets up a state refundable Earned Income Tax Credit modeled after the federal program. ACU opposes modeling a program after one that is rife with fraud and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 19, 2017 by a vote of 28-22.

20. SB 329 Restricting Abortion. This bill prohibits abortions after five months or more of pregnancy unless there is a serious health risk to the mother. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions on the practice and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 19, 2017 by a vote of 32-18 but it was vetoed by the governor.

21. SB 285 Establishing a New Agricultural Promotion Program. This bill establishes a new bureaucracy, the Montana Pulse Crops Committee, which will promote the sale of Montana-grown pulse crops. ACU believes taxpayers should not pay for product promotional programs and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 20, 2017 by a vote of 49-0.

22. HB 639 Increasing the Hospital Tax. This bill imposes a three-year assessment totaling $4.35 million on the state’s major hospitals. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes tax increases to pay for increased spending and that will raise the cost of health care for everyone and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 26, 2017 by a vote of 34-14.

23. SB 261 Reducing Healthcare Spending. This bill provides for a series of reductions in healthcare spending if revenues fall below expectations, including canceling a contract to administer Obamacare Medicaid expansion to able-bodied, childless adults. ACU supports this fiscally sound effort to deal with budget shortfalls while protecting taxpayers and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 26, 2017 by a vote of 35-13.

24. HB 2 Budget Bill. This bill deals with a projected $227 million budget deficit without the “temporary” tax increases called for by the governor. Although the bill includes budget gimmicks such as postponing payments to the state employee health care plan, ACU supported the bill as a better alternative to “temporary” tax increases that rarely remain temporary. The Senate passed the bill on November 15, 2017 by a vote of 30-18.

8


MONTANA SENATE VOTE DETAIL

Party District

SB 32

SB 101

SB 7

SB 100

HB 262

HB 246

SB 98

SB 190

SB 340

HB 266

SB 352

SB 354

SB 337

HB 205

HB 652

HB 631

SB 155

HB 473

HB 391

SB 329

SB 285

HB 639

SB 261

HB 2 (Special Session)

ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2017 %

2016 %

LIFETIME AVG

ANKNEY R 20 + + + + + + - + + + + - + + + - + - - + - - + + 17 24 71% 70% 70%

Barrett D 45 - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - + - 3 24 13% 17% 15%

BLASDEL R 4 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + E 21 23 91% 91% 91%

Boland D 12 X X X X - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - 1 20 5% n/a 5%

BROWN R 2 + + + + + + + + E E + + + + + + - + + + - E E + 18 20 90% 83% 86%

BUTTREY R 11 + + + + + + - + + + + - + + + - + - - + - - - + 16 24 67% 67% 67%

Caferro D 41 - + - + - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - 3 24 13% 17% 15%

Cohenour D 42 - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - 2 24 8% 13% 11%

CONNELL R 43 + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + - + - - + - - + + 18 24 75% 74% 74%

Facey D 50 - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - 2 24 8% 17% 13%

FIELDER R 7 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - E E + 21 22 95% 95% 95%

FITZPATRICK R 10 + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + 22 24 92% 91% 91%

GAUTHIER R 40 + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + - + - - + - - + + 18 24 75% n/a 75%

Gross D 25 - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + E 2 23 9% n/a 9%

HINEBAUCH R 18 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + 23 24 96% n/a 96%

HINKLE R 32 + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + - + + + + - + - + 20 24 83% 96% 89%

HOVEN R 13 + + + + - + - + + + + - + + + + + + - + - + - - 17 24 71% 74% 72%

HOWARD R 29 + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + - + - + 21 24 88% 95% 91%

JONES R 9 + + + + + + - + + + + - + + + + + - + + - - + + 19 24 79% 78% 79%

KARY R 22 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + 23 24 96% 91% 94%

KEENAN R 5 + + + + + + + + + + + + + E + - + + + + - + - + 20 23 87% 96% 91%

LANG R 17 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + - + + - - + + 20 24 83% 96% 90%

Macdonald D 26 - - - - - - - - - - E E - - - - - - - - - - + - 1 22 5% 8% 6%

Malek D 46 - + - - - - - - - - - - - - + + + - - - - - + - 5 24 21% 13% 17%

Mcclafferty D 38 - + - + - - - - - - - - - + - + - - - - - - + - 5 24 21% 8% 14%

Mcnally D 24 - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - 2 24 8% 17% 13%

Moe D 12 - + - X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 1 3 n/a† 9% 9%

“+” Member voted with ACU’s position“-” Member voted against ACU’s position

“X” Member was absent for vote“E” Member was excused for vote

† Legislator did not vote on enough of the selected bills and as a result the 2017 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score.

MONTANA SENATE SCORES

9


MONTANA SENATE VOTE DETAIL

Party District

SB 32

SB 101

SB 7

SB 100

HB 262

HB 246

SB 98

SB 190

SB 340

HB 266

SB 352

SB 354

SB 337

HB 205

HB 652

HB 631

SB 155

HB 473

HB 391

SB 329

SB 285

HB 639

SB 261


ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2017 %

2016 %

LIFETIME AVG

MOORE R 19 + + + + + + + + + + + + + E + - + + + + - - + + 20 23 87% 96% 91%

OLSZEWSKI R 6 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + 23 24 96% 84% 90%

OSMUNDSON R 15 + + + + + + + + + + + + + E + - + + + + - - + + 20 23 87% 100% 93%

Phillips D 31 - + - - E E - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - + - 3 22 14% 17% 16%

Pomnichowski D 33 - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - + - 3 24 13% 13% 13%

REGIER R 3 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + 23 24 96% n/a 96%

RICHMOND R 28 + + + + + + - + + + + - + + + + + - - + - - + + 18 24 75% 92% 84%

SALES R 35 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + - + 22 24 92% 96% 94%

SALOMON R 47 + + + + + + - + E E - - + + + - - - - + - - + + 13 22 59% 88% 73%

Sands D 49 - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 24 4% 19% 12%

Sesso D 37 - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - + - 3 24 13% 13% 13%

SMALL R 21 + + + + + + - + + + + - + E + - + - - + - - + + 16 23 70% n/a 70%

SMITH, C. R 27 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + 23 24 96% 96% 96%

Smith, F. D 16 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + + + - - - - - - - 3 24 13% n/a 13%

SWANDAL R 30 + + E + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + + 21 23 91% 96% 93%

TEMPEL R 14 - + + + + + - + + + + - + + + - + + - + - - + + 17 24 71% n/a 71%

THOMAS R 44 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + + 22 24 92% 96% 94%

VANCE R 34 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + - + 22 24 92% 100% 96%

VINCENT R 1 + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + + 21 24 88% 82% 85%

Vuckovich D 39 - + - - - - - - - - - - + - - + + - - - - - + - 5 24 21% 17% 19%

WEBB R 23 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + 23 24 96% 91% 94%

WELBORN R 36 + + + + + + - + + + - - + + + - + - - + - + + + 17 24 71% 80% 75%

Whitford D 8 - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - E - + - 3 23 13% 14% 13%

Wolken D 48 - + - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - 3 24 13% 13% 13%




10


MONTANA HOUSE STATISTICS

56%OVERALL AVERAGE

SHAW67%

LOWEST REPUBLICAN

86%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE

13%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE

HAMLETT52%

HIGHEST DEMOCRAT

MONTANA HOUSE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS

RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS

# OF STATEREPS

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

090-100%

2017 ACU PERCENTAGE

0-9% 10-19% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89%20-29%

11


1. HB 262 Expanding Concealed Carry. This bill allows an individual to carry a concealed firearm if they are otherwise lawfully entitled to possess a firearm. ACU supports the founder’s belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on January 31, 2017 by a vote of 60-39 but it was vetoed by the governor.

2. HB 246 Permitting Firearms in Federal Buildings. This bill allows lawful gun owners to carry a firearm into a U.S. Post Office or store it in a vehicle in a postal office parking lot. ACU supports the founder’s belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on January 31, 2017 by a vote of 60-39 but it was vetoed by the governor.

3. SB 101 Repealing the Ethanol Mandate. This bill repeals the state mandate that requires gasoline be blended with ethanol. ACU opposes these mandates that interfere with a consumers’ right to decide what fuel they buy and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 6, 2017 by a vote of 99-0.

4. SB 32 Repealing Renewable Energy Mandates. This bill repeals the Community Renewable Energy Project which mandates utility companies obtain a percentage of their energy from “renewable” sources. ACU supports all forms of energy, does not believe government should favor one form of energy over another and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 15, 2017 by a vote of 59-39 but it was vetoed by the governor.

5. SB 100 Authorizing Direct Primary Health Care. This bill allows doctors and patients to make their own healthcare arrangements while avoiding burdensome regulations. ACU supports a free market in health care and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 10, 2017 by a vote of 63-33 but it was vetoed by the governor.

6. HB 631 Providing Taxpayer-Funded Student Loan Forgiveness. This bill establishes a loan repayment assistance program that forgives up to 50% of the cumulative student loan debts of individuals who decide to become farmers. ACU opposes government favoring one profession over another for government help and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 31, 2017 by a vote of 62-38.

7. HB 266 Joining an Interstate Healthcare Compact. This bill allows Montana to join with other states in an interstate healthcare compact to return power from the federal government to the states. ACU supports efforts to strengthen state control over healthcare after the federal takeover by Obamacare and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 3, 2017 by a vote of 62-37 but it was vetoed by the governor.

8. SB 7 Eliminating Solar Energy Subsidies. This bill ends the harmful subsidy program for solar energy users. Currently, customers who use “renewable sources” of energy are able to take advantage of a “net metering” process that requires utility companies to buy their excess, unused energy, resulting in other customers paying higher rates. ACU supports all forms of energy, does not believe that government should favor one form of energy over another, and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 4, 2017 by a vote of 56-42 but it was vetoed by the governor.

9. SB 329 Restricting Abortion. This bill prohibits abortions after five months or more of pregnancy unless there is risk of a serious physical impairment to the mother. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions on the practice and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 13, 2017 by a vote of 61-39 but it was vetoed by the governor.

10. SB 352 Prohibiting Ballot Bundling. This bill prohibits the collection of another’s ballot with the purpose of turning it over to election officials, but provides exceptions for caregivers, family members, and members of the same households. ACU supports strengthening ballot integrity, opposes the practice of ballot bundling by campaign workers and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 13, 2017 by a vote of 51-49.

11. SB 285 Establishing a New Agricultural Promotion Program. This bill establishes a new bureaucracy, the Montana Pulse Crops Committee, which will promote the sale of Montana-grown pulse crops. ACU believes taxpayers should not pay for product promotional programs and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 19, 2017 by a vote of 91-8.

12. HB 205 Leveling the Playing Field Via Electric Vehicle Fees. This bill applies a new $90 registration fee to electric vehicles. ACU, while opposing new, unneeded taxes for infrastructure programs, supports a level playing field for those who will not be paying the new increase in the gas tax while benefiting from road and bridge improvements and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 20, 2017 by a vote of 55-45 but it was vetoed by the governor.

13. HB 652 Reforming Obamacare. This bill allows the state to apply for a federal waiver from Obamacare regulations and sets up high-risk pools for high-risk consumers, such as those with pre-existing conditions. The bill is intended to stop the practice under Obamacare that forces low-risk consumers to subsidize high-risk consumers through larger premiums and deductibles. ACU supports the repeal of Obamacare and efforts that provide states greater control over healthcare and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 22, 2017 by a vote of 60-40 but it was vetoed by the governor.

MONTANA HOUSE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

12


14. SB 340 Permitting the Purchase of Health Insurance Across State Lines. This bill allows consumers in Montana to purchase health insurance across state lines. ACU supports a free market in health insurance and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 22, 2017 by a vote of 62-38 but it was vetoed by the governor.

15. HB 473 Increasing the State Gas Tax. This bill increases the state gas tax by 6 cents a gallon and the diesel fuel tax by 2 cents a gallon. The revenue will be directed into both the general treasury and infrastructure projects. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes tax increases to pay for a massive increase in the size of government (1,200 new state employees since 2015) and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 22, 2017 by a vote of 57-43.

16. SB 337 Reducing the Size of Government. This bill eliminates a duplicative government entity, the Montana Board of Environmental Review, whose duties are already being carried out by the Department of Environmental Quality. ACU supports reducing government spending by eliminating unnecessary government programs and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 22, 2017 by a vote of 57-43 but it was vetoed by the governor.

17. SB 155 Prohibiting the Regulation of Agricultural Seeds. This bill prevents local governments from setting up their own regulatory system regarding agricultural seeds. ACU recognizes that a patchwork of regulations is harmful to individuals and businesses such as in western states where local governments have banned genetically modified crops and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 25, 2017 by a vote of 66-34.

18. HB 391 Establishing an Earned Income Tax Credit. This bill sets up a state refundable Earned Income Tax Credit modeled after the federal program. ACU opposes modeling a program after one that is rife with fraud and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 26, 2017 by a vote of 61-39.

19. HB 639 Increasing the Hospital Tax. This bill imposes a three-year assessment totaling $4.35 million on the state’s major hospitals. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes tax increases to pay for increased spending and that will raise the cost of health care for everyone and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 26, 2017 by a vote of 61-39.

20. SB 261 Reducing Healthcare Spending. This bill provides for a series of reductions in healthcare spending if revenues fall below expectations, including canceling a contract to administer Obamacare Medicaid expansion to able-bodied, childless adults. ACU supports this fiscally sound effort to deal with budget shortfalls while protecting taxpayers and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 27, 2017 by a vote of 73-27.

21. HB 2 Budget Bill. This bill deals with a projected $227 million budget deficit without the “temporary” tax increases called for by the governor. Although the bill includes budget gimmicks such as postponing payments to the state employee health care plan, ACU supported the bill as a better alternative to “temporary” tax increases that rarely remain temporary. The House passed the bill on November 15, 2017 by a vote of 59-41.

13


MONTANA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL

Party District

HB 262

HB 246

SB 101

SB 32

SB 100

HB 631

HB 266

SB 7

SB 329

SB 352

SB 285

HB 205

HB 652

SB 340

HB 473

SB 337

SB 155

HB 391

HB 639

SB 261


ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2017 %

2016 %

LIFETIME AVG

Abbott D 83 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 21 5% n/a 5%

ANDERSON R 20 + + + + + + + + + - - + + + - + + - - + + 16 21 76% n/a 76%

Bachmeier D 28 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - 2 21 10% n/a 10%

BALLANCE R 87 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + - + + + - + + 18 21 86% 92% 89%

BARTEL R 29 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + - + - + - + 17 21 81% n/a 81%

BEARD R 80 + + + + + - + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + 19 21 90% n/a 90%

Bennett D 91 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 21 5% 8% 6%

BERGLEE R 58 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 21 21 100% 100% 100%

Bishop D 60 - - + - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 21 10% n/a 10%

BRODEHL R 9 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + - + + 19 21 90% 92% 91%

BROWN, B. R 13 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + 20 21 95% 84% 90%

Brown, Z. D 63 - - + - + - - - - - - - - - + - + - - - - 4 21 19% 8% 14%

BURNETT R 67 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + 20 21 95% 100% 98%

COOK R 18 + + + + + + + + + - - + + + - + + - - + + 16 21 76% 72% 74%

Court D 50 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 21 5% 12% 8%

CUFFE R 2 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + - + + 19 21 90% 92% 91%

Curdy D 98 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - 2 21 10% 8% 9%

Curtis D 74 - - + - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 21 10% n/a 10%

CUSTER R 39 + + + + + - + + + - - + + + - + + - - + + 15 21 71% 63% 67%

DOANE R 36 + + + + + + + X + + - + + + + + + + + + + 19 20 95% 92% 94%

Dudik D 94 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 21 5% 8% 6%

Dunwell D 84 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 21 5% 8% 6%

Eck D 79 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - 2 21 10% 8% 9%

EHLI R 86 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + - + + 19 21 90% 96% 93%

Ellis D 81 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 21 5% 8% 6%

ESSMANN R 54 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + - + + + + + + 19 21 90% 88% 89%

Fern D 5 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - + - 3 21 14% n/a 14%

FITZGERALD R 17 + + + + + - + + + - - + + + - + + - - + + 15 21 71% n/a 71%




MONTANA HOUSE SCORES

14



Party District

HB 262

HB 246

SB 101

SB 32

SB 100

HB 631

HB 266

SB 7

SB 329

SB 352

SB 285

HB 205

HB 652

SB 340

HB 473

SB 337

SB 155

HB 391

HB 639

SB 261


ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2017 %

2016 %

LIFETIME AVG

Fleming D 93 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - 2 21 10% n/a 10%

FLYNN R 70 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + 20 21 95% 96% 96%

Funk D 82 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 21 5% 12% 8%

GALT R 30 + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + 19 21 90% n/a 90%

GARNER R 7 + + + + + - + + + - - + + + - + + - - + + 15 21 71% 79% 75%

GLIMM R 6 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + 20 21 95% 96% 96%

GREEF R 88 + + + + + - + + + + - + + + - + + - - + + 16 21 76% 100% 88%

GRUBBS R 68 + + + + + - + + + - - + + + - + + - - + + 15 21 71% n/a 71%

GUNDERSON R 1 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + 20 21 95% n/a 95%

Hamilton D 61 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - 2 21 10% n/a 10%

Hamlett D 23 - + + + + - + + - - - + + + - - + - - + - 11 21 52% n/a 52%

HARRIS R 29 + + + + + + + - + + - - + + + + + + + - + 17 21 81% 96% 88%

Hayman D 66 - - + - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 21 10% 8% 9%

HERTZ, A. R 96 + + + + X + + - + + - - + + + + + - + + + 16 20 80% n/a 80%

HERTZ, G. R 12 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + 20 21 95% 100% 98%

Hill Smith D 90 - - + - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - + - 3 21 14% 8% 11%

HOLMLUND R 38 + + + + + - + + + + - + + + - + + + - + + 17 21 81% 92% 86%

HOPKINS R 92 + + + + + - + - + + - - + + - + + - + + + 15 21 71% n/a 71%

Jacobson D 21 - - + - + - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - 3 21 14% 12% 13%

JONES R 46 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + 20 21 95% 100% 98%

Karjala D 48 - - + - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 21 10% 8% 9%

Keane D 73 - - + + - - + + - - + + - - - + - - - + - 8 21 38% n/a 38%

Kelker D 47 - - + - + - - - - - - - - - - - + - - + - 4 21 19% 8% 14%

Kipp D 15 - - + X - - - - + - - - + - - - + - - + - 5 20 25% 0% 13%

KNOKEY R 65 + + X - + + + + + + - - + + + - + - + + + 15 20 75% n/a 75%

KNUDSEN, A. R 34 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + - + + 19 21 90% 100% 95%

KNUDSEN, C. R 33 + + + + X - + + + + X + + + + + + + + + + 18 19 95% n/a 95%

LAVIN R 8 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + - + + - - + + 17 21 81% 92% 86%

LENZ R 53 + + + + X + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + 19 20 95% n/a 95%

LOGE R 14 + + + + + - + + + - - + + + - + + - - + + 15 21 71% n/a 71%




15



Party District

HB 262

HB 246

SB 101

SB 32

SB 100

HB 631

HB 266

SB 7

SB 329

SB 352

SB 285

HB 205

HB 652

SB 340

HB 473

SB 337

SB 155

HB 391

HB 639

SB 261


ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2017 %

2016 %

LIFETIME AVG

Lynch D 76 - - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - + - 3 21 14% 12% 13%

MANDEVILLE R 57 + + + + + + + + + + - - + + + + - + + + + 18 21 86% 100% 93%

MANZELLA R 85 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + - - + + + + 18 21 86% 88% 87%

Mccarthy D 49 X X + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - 2 19 11% 16% 13%

Mcconnell D 89 - - + - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - + - 3 21 14% 8% 11%

MCKAMEY R 23 + + + + + - + + + + - + + + - + + + + + + 18 21 86% 96% 91%

Morigeau D 95 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 21 5% n/a 5%

MORTENSEN R 44 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + 20 21 95% 92% 94%

NOLAND R 10 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + - + 19 21 90% 92% 91%

O'HARA R 27 + + + + + - + + + + - - + + + + + + + + + 18 21 86% n/a 86%

Olsen D 100 - - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - 2 21 10% 8% 9%

PATELIS R 52 + + + + + - + X + + + + + + + + + - - + + 17 20 85% n/a 85%

Peppers D 41 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - + - 3 21 14% 8% 11%

Perry D 3 - - + - - - - - - - - - + - + - - - - + - 4 21 19% 8% 14%

Pierson D 78 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - + - 3 21 14% 8% 11%

Price D 24 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 21 5% 8% 6%

REDFIELD R 59 + + + + + - + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + 19 21 90% 100% 95%

REGIER R 4 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + 20 21 95% 96% 96%

RICCI R 55 + + + + + - + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + 19 21 90% 100% 95%

ROSENDALE R 51 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + 20 21 95% n/a 95%

Ryan D 99 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - 2 21 10% n/a 10%

SALES R 69 + + + + + - + + + - - + + + - + + - - + + 15 21 71% n/a 71%

Schreiner D 25 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - 2 21 10% 12% 11%

SHAW R 71 + + + - + - + + + - - + + + - + + - - + + 14 21 67% 84% 75%

SHELDON-GALLOWAY R 22 + + + + + + + + + + - - - + + + - - + - + 15 21 71% n/a 71%

SKEES R 11 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + 20 21 95% n/a 95%

Smith D 31 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - + - 3 21 14% 8% 11%

STAFFANSON R 35 + + + + + - + + + + - + + + - + + + + + + 18 21 86% 92% 89%

Stewart-Peregoy D 42 + - + - - - X - - + - + - - - - + - - + - 6 20 30% n/a 30%

Swanson D 77 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 21 5% 8% 6%




16



Party District

HB 262

HB 246

SB 101

SB 32

SB 100

HB 631

HB 266

SB 7

SB 329

SB 352

SB 285

HB 205

HB 652

SB 340

HB 473

SB 337

SB 155

HB 391

HB 639

SB 261


ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2017 %

2016 %

LIFETIME AVG

TREBAS R 25 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + - + + + 19 21 90% n/a 90%

TSCHIDA R 97 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + 20 21 95% 96% 95%

USHER R 40 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + - - + + + 18 21 86% n/a 86%

VINTON R 56 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + 20 21 95% n/a 95%

WAGONER R 75 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + 20 21 95% 100% 98%

WEBB R 43 + + + + + - + + + + - + + + + + + + + - + 18 21 86% n/a 86%

Webber D 16 - - + X - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - 2 20 10% 8% 9%

WELCH R 72 + + + + + - + + + + - + + + - + + - - + + 16 21 76% n/a 76%

WHITE R 64 + + + - + + + + + + - + - + + + + + + - + 17 21 81% 92% 86%

Windy Boy D 32 - - + + - - + + + - - - + - - - + - - + - 8 21 38% 43% 41%

Woods D 62 - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - 2 21 10% 8% 9%

ZOLNIKOV R 45 + + + + + + + - + + + - - + + + - + + - + 16 21 76% 100% 88%




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