Pub. 1 2021 Issue 2

11 Our goal is to leave no stone unturned as we identify excessive and unnecessary regulations, and we’re relying on public input to do that. We have a portal on the governor’s website where all stakeholders can submit comments, which we encourage your members to do. We’ll also be holding listening sessions over the next several months throughout the state. Governor Gianforte had the largest margin of victory since 1920 for a first-term governor and won more votes than any other gubernatorial candidate in the state’s history. He had previously served as an at-large U.S. Congressional Representative (2017-2021). Governor Gianforte created the Red Tape Relief Advisory Council Jan. 5, 2021, and chose the lieutenant governor, Kristen Juras, to be its presiding officer. She is a fourth- generation Montanan. A report and plan were due Aug. 1, 2021, and the council is set to disband Dec. 31, 2021. The council has been asked to correct the balance on regulatory reformwithin the state. This is an exciting initiative and one that has been well- received by small business owners all over the state. Governor Gianforte and Lt. Governor Juras are welcoming reform suggestions and have set up a website for feedback. MTADA had the opportunity to recently touch base with Lt. Governor Juras about Executive Order No. 1-2021: Q: The executive order creating the council includes startling information about the need for creating the council. It states that the Administrative Rules of Montana contain 4.7 million words that would take an average reader 263 hours to read. That’s a lot of words and a lot of time to be fluent, if you will, in the rules and regulations. It’s safe to make the assumption that probably no small business owner has read the Administrative Rules of Montana. Would you agree? A: Absolutely. Some of the rules are so complex that a business owner has no choice but to hire an attorney to navigate them. Unfortunately, that’s an expense that’s often passed onto the consumer, making it more difficult for Montanans to pay for goods and services. Q: The reality is that most states would have rules and regulations that most small business owners find burdensome and difficult to navigate. This situation didn’t happen overnight. Why is now the right time to act? A: We have a governor who is committed to improving the business climate and creating more job opportunities in Montana. Improving Montana’s regulatory climate is a top priority of Governor Gianforte’s, which is why he created the Red Tape Relief Task Force on his second day in office. He’s charged us with conducting a top-to-bottom regulatory review of all state agencies to identify excessive, outdated, and unnecessary regulations. Q: Why were you chosen to preside over the council? How has your work as an attorney and law school professor prepared you for this challenge? A: Having represented farmers, ranchers, and small business owners for thirty-eight years, I’m familiar with the roadblocks and delays associated with a burdensome regulatory environment. Governor Gianforte and I have heard these Montanans loud and clear, and we’re taking steps to provide them with much-needed red-tape relief. Q: The council is supposed to have one employee from each state agency with rulemaking authority. How many people are currently serving on the council? A: The council is comprised of fourteen members – one person from each of our thirteen state agencies and myself. Q: How are you ensuring that all stakeholders get a voice on the council without allowing progress to stall? A: Our goal is to leave no stone unturned as we identify excessive and unnecessary regulations, and we’re relying on publ ic input to do that. We have a portal on the governor’s website where al l stakeholders can submit comments, which we encourage your members to do. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12