Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-02-19
Legislative Hi-Lights

Legislative, Hi-Lights
Creation of a commission to study
the states taxation system and de-
termine il, by consolidation of &C
tivities or by any other means the
states tax burden may be lowered,
was approved by the house in COM
mittee Of the whole. The commission
would study the operation of all tax
ing agencies.
A bill which would prohibit pub
lie officer from appointing to pub
lie position any person related to him
in the fourth degree or closer by
blood or carriage was introduced In
the house by Morris of Deer Lodge.
The penaly would be loss of the APP
pointive power.
Friday of last week was the closing
day for the introduction of bills and
as customary Whirlwind Of measures
went into the hopper before the end
Of the day. The legislature will soon
be in We last week Of the session and
it has a mass of important work to do
Bills must be transmitted from the
not later than the 50th day, which
is February %. The rules must be
suspended to transmit bills later than
that. The exception is usually made
with the appropriation bills.
Because OF the length Of the house
committees bill to recodify the high
school laws, it may 20 through large
ly on the reports and recommendations
Of committees. The bill contains well
over hundred sections.
Representative Pappin Of Great
Falls has introduced the bill advocat-
ed by the contractors Of the state, a
measure which woul require all con-
tractors to be licensed.
Measures to enact closed primary
law and repeal the absent voters act
are sponsored by Senators Survant
/ and Larson.
J The enactment of Legislation to mod
ernize our laws governing corporations
i is provided for in seven measures
I introduced in the house by the floor
leaders, Leavitt of Custer, Republican,
! and Dellwo of Lake, Democrat. They
4 are intended to induce persons to or
ganize and incorporate their bust
nesses in Montana where they now in
corporate in Delaware, New Jersey
or some other state, and ask permits
sion to do business in this state. Lea
witt explained the proposals would
modernize existing laws, which have
not been materially altered for 30
years.
One measure introduced in the
house appropriates for use of the state
highway commission all probable re-
ceipts of the commission, roughly es-
/ timated by the appropriations commit
tee at $9,500,000 The bill would mere
ly empower the commission to use
those funds. The sources of revenue
include federal aid allotments, state
activities, particularly the operation
Of the b-cent gasoline tax law, and
county or other contributions.
Night sessions for the house Of rep
resentatives will continue until the
/ house docket is in better condition.
This may mean until the end Of the
| session.
The drivers license bill as affirmed
by the house provides fee Of q cents
every two years for drivers and 81 a
year for professional chanffers. 1t
would revoke licenses for any of the
following reasons: Manslaughter from
operation of a car; driving while drunk
or drugged; perjury in application for
license; conviction Of felony under mo-
tor vehicle laws or any other felony
committed with car; conviction or
forfeiture Of bail upon two charges Of
reckless driving within II months;
hit-run driving.
Having seen his bill barring mar
ried women from employment in pub
lie offices go down to defeat. Senator
Pauline Of Flathead, secured passage
OF resolution urging every state Of
ficer, board, commission and agency
OF state government that after July
/, next, no married woman having an
able-bodied husband who Is eaxljxK or
capable OF esrning, or is financially
able to support his wife, be employed
in public offices. None Of those who
argued the constitutionality OF the
Pauline BILL or expressed fears Of dis
couraging matrimony, raised his voice
against the resolution.