WEEK 2

WEEK 2 DAY 6-10🇺🇲
I have COMMITTED to writing a little bit each day of what I’ve been doing here in Helena Montana since I got my new job representing District #38.
🟥EVERY week there will be a new UPDATE.
🟥I really want everyone to know I still have the same number and email. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to me there. ( 406-853-1636 or Greg.Kmetz@legmt.gov)
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1-9-23 Day 6 (Monday)
I reported for Judiciary Committee Hearings at 8 am. We listened to several bill proposals. Most were clean up bills sponsored by various agencies to remove old laws or streamline regulations … this is part of the Governors Red Tape Relief Initiative. One bill was to make it a felony to steal a car worth less than $1500. The argument was these low value cars had more value to the owners than high value cars owned by people of more financial means. I listened to the questions by our committee members, and it ended up with a pass, but I voted for it. It was a “light” day as the committee was dismissed around 10am.
As I learn the ropes around here, I did get called on a most severe violation. A legislator can never go anywhere in the Capitol without their state ID and name tag. Representative Bob Phalen called me aside & asked what I was trying to prove. I told Bob I had no idea what he was talking about. He proceeded to tell me I had my name tag on the wrong side of my jacket, as Republicans ALWAYS wear their tags on their right side and the Democrats wear theirs on the left side. The change was made, and I paid attention to other Representatives all day … Bob was absolutely right, so I’m still learning all these unwritten rules.
I am on the Energy Committee that meets @ 3 and we heard more agency bills. I was out the door @ 4:30, as Alice is State President for the Gideon’s Auxiliary, so we head to Great Falls (90 miles from Helena) for their monthly Camp Meeting. It was a great gathering and as we walked out of the restaurant, it was raining, but quickly turned to snow. We got back to Helena safe and sound.
1-10-23 Day 7 (Tuesday)
The day stared with a Whip meeting @ 7:15. The Republican caucus (68 representatives) are separated into small Groups led by Whip leaders, and my leader is Representative Terry Moore from Billings. The idea of the Whip Groups is to give the appearance that we are unified as Republicans. We discussed our positions on many topics, For example: On the proposed budget by the Governor, Terry Moore made every one of us state our likes & dislikes, in a very open and friendly environment. I really enjoyed my 1st Whip Meeting, and we will be meeting weekly.
Reported to Judiciary Committee meeting at 8 am and we had a crowd to greet us. I learned that I need to look ahead and read the bills coming up. We heard several Agency bills and then Representative Jenifer Carlson introduced a bill she is carrying that would totally redefine how the Department of Child & Family Services (DFS) handles agency removal of children from parents. She explained the proposed changes …
1) A warrant would be needed and filed with a judge.
2) A Law Officer was to be present during the removal
3) Court appearance with-in 72 hours
4) A Public Defender to represent both the parent/and or parents and the child.
The Chair then asked for proponents to testify, and they came, one after another. Horrible cases of abuse by DFS with many LIVE examples. Both parents and young kids testified. This continued for an hour or so, as I counted 15 proponent witnesses. Some REALLY touched my heart. This is a complex bill, as it will change many existing laws and it does not have some agency support where it is needed. It was now time to hear from the opponents, and there was a huge turn out by a volunteer group called CASA. Representative Carlson’s Bill denied volunteer case workers, like CASA, any access to records. They are welcomed and invited to work with parents & children as they have done in the past but cannot view any records from the case. Other opponents included the Public Defender’s Office, as they wanted more than the 72 hours to “study” the case. A lobbyist from the Sheriffs Association also opposed it saying they were too busy to be involved. The testimony ended with a question from me requesting a definition of a “peace officer”. I have a huge degree of appreciation for Representative Carlson, as this bill gets right in the face of state agency overreach and will overturn non-working, existing laws. It was exciting for me to watch and support her with my “yes” vote!
We vote almost every day in the House Chamber at 1:00. Most bills & votes are agency related right now. They are important but not really exciting or revealing. Quite often a vote will show me something I didn’t know or realize. For Example … We took a vote just to just simply form a “Joint Select Committee” to study Election Integrity, something I am very passionate about. Representatives Phalen & Schillinger are on the committee. It takes a floor vote to approve this, and it passed 57 to 39 with all Democrats and 7 Republican’s (!!!) voting NO. Can you believe it … (Who are these Republicans)???
1-11-23 Day 8 (Wednesday)
Report for Judiciary Committee meeting, 8am. There were a lot of people in the hallway, so I knew it was probably going to get exciting. My seat mate to my left is Representative Jodee Etchart & she carried a bill for the Department of Justice. The first proponent called to the podium was our Attorney General, Austin Knudsen and he laid out the bill in great detail … If you traffic a minor child, the minimum sentence will be 25 years. This would be a total restructuring of the Human Trafficking Division of the DOJ and the penalties associated with human trafficking. AG Austin Knudsen’s testimony ended and was followed by many proponents that took the stand, some that were actual victims. It was very hard to hold back the emotions, and it will be so very easy to vote “yes” on this bill. It will go to the House Floor, and I cannot imagine there being any “no” votes on this one. We also learned about a new program to increase the amount of people searching and looking for human trafficking victims. Our Attorney General Austin Knudsen teamed up with the Beer Distributers in the state of Montana. All delivery drivers in the state are trained on how to spot human trafficking victims as they are unloading product at truck stops & other locations. If trained delivery drivers spot suspicious activity, they don’t approach but they know to take pictures, call authorities and gather all pertinent information. We have a great Attorney General and I see him rising to the top in many ways.
1-12-23 Day 9 (Thursday)
Attended the Legislative Bible Study by Pastor Keith Johnson, at 6:15, on Biblical steps to resolve conflict. Twelve Legislators present, 11 Republicans, 1 Democrat. Representative Ed Stafman, from Bozeman is a Jewish Rabi and an attorney, and I always enjoy my visits with him.
A slow legislative day. Representative Fred Anderson, now from Great Falls, was my next-door neighbor in Miles City at one time. He presented a bill to the Judiciary Committee (of which I am a member). His son was in an automobile accident, and it was not his fault. The officer asked for proof of insurance, and the guilty party had none. He told the officer to ” … write me a ticket because it’s only $250 … much cheaper than insurance”. Representative Anderson’s Bill will change this. It passed our committee and is on to the House Floor for 2nd & 3rd reading. (Funny story from years ago. Dr. Fred Anderson was the principal at Custer County High School and my oldest son graduated. We had a little party for Trevor and there was a knock at the door … it’s Dr. Fred!! I thanked him for coming and asked if he goes to all the parties. He said he wouldn’t miss this one for anything … you can figure that one out on your own!!)
Attended the Helena Gideon Camp Dinner meeting this evening.
1-13-23 Day 10 (Friday)
Very interesting today in Judiciary. This job is not boring!! Two bills came before the committee. 1st was to increase victim funeral compensation from $3,500 to $10,000. An easy “yes” vote on this and no taxpayer money attached.
It then got interesting, fast. A bill was presented called “Extreme Risk Bill”. It allows confiscation of weapons from “extreme risk” people based on testimony, similar to “Red Flag Laws”. When all testimony is heard, action usually stops and, in a few days, we would normally vote on the bill, (in committee), that would determine if the bill moved out to the floor, but it didn’t go that way. Representative Brandon Ler made a “Motion to Table”, which means it’s over for that bill. A vote was taken, 14 to 5. There was some discussion by the minority party, as you would expect. The Bill was introduced by Representative Ed Stafman, a Democrat from Bozeman. I later grabbed a sack lunch from the Truckers Association, that was lobbying in the old Senate Chamber and went back to my desk on the House floor to eat. Representative Stafman approached me, sat down and he asked me a very legitimate question, “Why did you vote against my bill?” This is all good in every way, and a perfectly normal dialog that happens and needs to continue. I shared with him that his bill is similar to many “Red Flag Laws” that have been introduced and passed in many states. I can never vote for anything that would infringe on our 2nd amendment rights in any manner. We just need to enforce the laws that are already on the books