The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-01-07
OIL LEGISLATION
UP TO ASSEMBLY
GAS TAX AND OIL LAWS WILL
CONFRONT MONTANA
LEGISLATURE
Five Commissions Created in 1925
Will Report to State Body Now in
Session at Helena; Liquor Laws
May Receive Attention
CBy Our Helena Correspondent

b Our Helena Correspondent
With oil and gasoline legislation pnOm-
Using, at this time, the greatest general
interest, q long list Of subjects for legis-
latiOn action cOnfrOnts the Goth Montana
assembly, which convened this week.
Several administrative codes, taxes, ap-
preparations, together with the various
phases of legislation affecting the oil
industry promise to lead the sessions cal
endar with an unusual grist Of important
matters.
The usual legislative calendar is about
1OOC bills, of which twO-thirds originate
in the house. Possibly 300 of these are
given the consideration of printing and
somewhere near 20 per cent are enacted
into law.
The trend Of this sessions activities I'M
dOubtedly is indicated by Governor Erick-
sons message. The message was of cOnSid-
cradle length and dealt with a variety Of
subjects, treated as Legislative material
from the standpoint of the governors two
years as the states chief executive.
Five Commissions Report
Five commissions created by the 1925
Legislature will present their reports to
the coming session. Each report forecasts
considerable discussion. They have to do
with revision Of banking laws, establish
ment Of a state accounting system, crea-
ton of a new state normal school at Bill
lings, utilization of the Fort ASsinibOine
property at Havre and erection Of a mem
Orial to the explorers, Lewis and Clark.
Liquor legislation in some phases IN
dOubtedly will be sought, following the
repeal of the states prohibition laws by
an initiative act last November. It NAV be
assumed that the provision relative to dis
pOsal of liquor to minors, now considered
shaky because of repeal Of cOrrelatins
statutes, will be strengthened and Their,
have been generally circulated reports tina
the dry forces will attempt to put through
a new prohibition code.
Land, bank, game and industrial acct
dent codes are in prospect as meat fr
consideration the governor, with the assist
lance of Attorney General T. Foot am
/. NJ. BrandjOrd, register of state lands
has been considering mOderniZatiOn of tn
states land laws for some months ant
probably will have a complete new code t.
submit.
While the banking code commission de
= clared that a new code was not necesSar,
and has recommended two amendatOr
U measures for passage, there seems q prob
y ability that the banking committee Of on
y house or the other may take matters int
. its own hands and formulate a cOmplet
y new code. The bank deposit guarantee lay
Y undoubtedly will again be offered.
New Game Code
y While a new game code was enacted b
U the last Legislature, the state spOrtsmen'
association has in preparation a bill whic
U Will offer extensive amendments to tn
code and the game warden has some ad
ministrative changes to propose.
: A long list Of changes in the industriS
accident and inspection codes are suggeste
e in the report Of the boards chairman. TIL
n industrial insurance act also was revise
last session after an extended and exteT
q Sive discussion, but is a frequent subjeC
S for legislative action.
s The oil industry comes in for a~ttentiO
from numerous angles. The rapid grOwt
Of the industry in Montana has cause
much puZzlement among officials who ha7
had, thus far, to adapt old statutes passe
q for the regulation Of other industries,
y the requirements Of the oil business. Coz
Servation, taxation and regulation sugge
lions come from many administrative d
u partments and the oil men themselves a.
q reported to have a complete code WhiC
they hope to have passed.
l. Educational matters, including an q
tempt to relieve the heavily taxed small
districts, will have consideration. The go
Of ernOr has recommended that the legiSlatu
l. submit to the voters a measure re-enaC
1t ing the mill and a half educational le7
7e from which the four units of the Universe
ne Of Montana now draw their incomes.
> Corporation Fees
License fees from domestic cOrpOratiO
j, with non par value stock and irrigati
~ district regulations are to be cOnsidere
- Public finances will be the subject
&c several measures. Provision whereby {
state treasurer will be empowered to pU
~ chase all general fund warrants for inve'
% ment in other state funds, will be sOug
= and probably some means for funding {
u states floating debt will be cOnsiderC
The cities, towns, counties and school d
~ trict budget laws are assumed to be on t
~ docket again.