Additional Bill Links PDF (with line numbers)
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 24
INTRODUCED BY B. HAWKS
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY TO INVESTIGATE THE IMPACTS OF MONTANA'S PARTICIPATION IN A REGIONAL GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION PROGRAM; AND REQUIRING THAT THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE STUDY BE REPORTED TO THE 62ND LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, Montana, through actions taken by Governor Brian Schweitzer in November 2007, joined the Western Climate Initiative; and
WHEREAS, Western Climate Initiative partners assert that Western states are experiencing "the effects of a hotter, drier climate, including prolonged droughts, excessive heat waves, reduced snow packs, increased snowmelts, decreased spring runoffs, altered precipitation patterns, more severe forest and rangeland fires, widespread forest diseases, and other serious impacts" and that "climate change could have severe economic and environmental impacts on Western states in coming decades"; and
WHEREAS, the Western Climate Initiative calls for the development of national, regional, tribal, state, and local programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% below 2005 levels by 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Western Climate Initiative calls for the design of a regional, market-based, multisector mechanism in the form of a cap-and-trade program to achieve regional greenhouse gas reduction goals, a design recommendation issued by the Western Climate Initiative in September 2008; and
WHEREAS, the design of the cap-and-trade program calls for individual state responsibility in certain areas, including reporting compliance.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, or direct sufficient staff resources to:
(1) evaluate how participation in the regional cap-and-trade program proposed by the Western Climate Initiative partners could impact Montana's economy and environment, including:
(a) a comparison of the potential economic and environmental impacts of other greenhouse gas reduction programs, including:
(i) a carbon tax;
(ii) other cap-and-trade models; and
(iii) voluntary reductions;
(b) the potential economic and environmental impacts of not participating in greenhouse gas reduction programs; and
(c) an analysis of the impacts of potential greenhouse gas reduction programs on individual economic sectors;
(2) review how a federal cap-and-trade program could affect Montana's participation in the Western Climate Initiative, including:
(a) the impact of federal legislation on Montana's ability to protect its own interests; and
(b) the advantages and disadvantages of regulating carbon prior to federal regulation, including:
(i) Montana's potential competitiveness in a carbon constrained environment; and
(ii) potential gains and losses related to emissions reductions and allowances;
(3) analyze how Montana could assign responsibility for reporting greenhouse gas emissions under the Western Climate Initiative or another greenhouse gas reduction program; and
(4) evaluate how other aspects of membership in the Western Climate Initiative could impact Montana's environment and economy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the information included in the November 2007 "Montana Climate Change Action Plan: Final Report of the Governor's Climate Change Advisory Committee" related to greenhouse gas reduction programs be reviewed in conjunction with the study.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the study is assigned to staff, any findings or conclusions be presented to and reviewed by an appropriate committee designated by the Legislative Council.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2010.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions, comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 62nd Legislature.
- END -
Latest Version of SJ 24 (SJ0024.01)
Processed for the Web on February 10, 2009 (5:26pm)
New language in a bill appears underlined, deleted material appears stricken.
Sponsor names are handwritten on introduced bills, hence do not appear on the bill until it is reprinted.
See the status of this bill for the bill's primary sponsor.
Status of this Bill | 2009 Legislature | Leg. Branch Home
This bill in WP 5.1 | All versions of all bills (WP 5.1 format)
Authorized print version w/line numbers (PDF format)
[ NEW SEARCH ]
Prepared by Montana Legislative Services
(406) 444-3064