5/9/05-Gov. Brian Schweitzer has signed a bill that would give the Highway Patrol more money to put additional officers out on the road and pay higher salaries to keep them from defecting to other agencies. It takes effect in July.
Sponsored by Rep. Larry Jent, D-Bozeman, the new law – previously HB35 – alters the source for patrol salaries from the state’s fuel tax to a new vehicle tag fee.
The new law is expected to generate an estimated $6.5 million each year by adding a $5 fee to motor vehicle registrations. About $3.4 million of that would be used in fiscal year 2007 to increase patrol salaries and to hire 20 more officers to increase the patrol’s presence on Montana highways, with the rest going for as many as 50 new officers in coming years.
It opens up as many as 19 positions within the patrol this year by removing a state mandate requiring the agency to leave jobs unfilled to stay within its budget.
The raises will be based on the average starting pay for deputy sheriffs in the eight counties where the bulk of the officers are stationed. The new law also makes patrol salaries part of the governor’s budget, meaning they won’t have to be renewed every year like other state employees.

4/20/05-House lawmakers voted 66-33 April 15 to give their final blessing to bill that would give the Highway Patrol more money to put additional officers on the road and pay higher salaries to keep them from defecting to other agencies.
HB35, sponsored by Rep. Larry Jent, D-Bozeman, now heads to Gov. Brian Schweitzer for approval. It previously passed the Senate.
The bill would generate an estimated $6.5 million each year by adding a $5 fee to motor vehicle registrations. About $3.4 million of that would be used in fiscal year 2007 to increase patrol salaries and to hire 20 more officers to increase the patrol’s presence on Montana highways, with the rest going for as many as 50 new officers in coming years.
Jent’s bill would alter the source for patrol salaries from the state’s fuel tax to a new vehicle tag fee.
It also would open up as many as 14 positions within the patrol by removing a state mandate requiring the agency to leave jobs unfilled to stay within its budget.
The raises would be based on the average starting pay for deputy sheriffs in the eight counties where the bulk of the officers are stationed. Patrol salaries would become part of the governor’s budget, meaning they wouldn’t have to be renewed every year like other state employees.
For bill status, call (406) 444-4800.

3/29/05-House lawmakers tentatively approved a bill March 24 that would provide more money to put additional Highway Patrol officers on the road and pay higher salaries to keep them from defecting to other agencies.
HB35, sponsored by Rep. Larry Jent, D-Bozeman, would generate an estimated $6.5 million each year by adding a $5 fee to motor vehicle registrations. About $3.4 million of that would be used in fiscal year 2007 to increase patrol salaries and to hire 20 more officers to increase the patrol’s presence on Montana highways, with the rest going for as many as 50 new officers in coming years.
The bill alters the source for patrol salaries from the state’s fuel tax to a new vehicle tag fee. Supporters of the bill awaiting final approval before the House want that money earmarked for roads.
It would also open up as many as 14 positions within the patrol by removing a state mandate requiring the agency to leave jobs unfilled to stay within its budget.
The raises would be based on the average starting pay for deputy sheriffs in the eight counties where the bulk of the officers are stationed. The bill also makes patrol salaries part of the governor’s budget, meaning they wouldn’t have to be renewed every year like other state employees.
If given final approval in the House, the bill would head to the Senate for further consideration. For bill status, call (406) 444-4800.

2/11/05-The House State Administration Committee unanimously approved a bill Feb. 2 that would provide more money to put additional Highway Patrol officers on the road and pay higher salaries to keep them from defecting to other agencies.
HB35, sponsored by Rep. Larry Jent, D-Bozeman, would generate an estimated $6.5 million each year by adding a $5 fee to motor vehicle registrations. About $3.4 million of that would be used in fiscal year 2007 to increase patrol salaries and to hire 20 more officers to increase the patrol’s presence on Montana highways, with the rest going for as many as 50 new officers in coming years.
The bill would open up as many as 14 positions within the patrol by removing a state mandate requiring the agency to leave jobs unfilled to stay within its budget.
Jent’s bill offers a new wage schedule based on a survey every two years of the average starting pay for deputy sheriffs in the eight counties where the bulk of the officers are stationed. It also makes patrol salaries part of the governor’s budget, meaning they wouldn’t have to be renewed every year like other state employees.
The bill has been forwarded to the House Appropriations Committee for further consideration. For bill status, call (406) 444-4800.

1/27/05-An effort in the House would provide more money to put additional Highway Patrol officers on the road and pay higher salaries to keep them from defecting to other agencies.
The bill, offered by Rep. Larry Jent, D-Bozeman, would generate an estimated $6.5 million each year by adding a $5 fee to motor vehicle registrations. About $3.4 million of that would be used in fiscal year 2007 to increase patrol salaries and to hire 20 more officers to increase the patrol’s presence on Montana highways, with the rest going for as many as 50 new officers in coming years.
HB35 would open up as many as 14 positions within the patrol by removing a state mandate requiring the agency to leave jobs unfilled to stay within its budget.
Jent’s bill offers a new wage schedule based on a survey every two years of the average starting pay for deputy sheriffs in the eight counties where the bulk of the officers are stationed. It also makes patrol salaries part of the governor’s budget, meaning they wouldn’t have to be renewed every year like other state employees.
The bill is in the House State Administration Committee. For bill status, call (406) 444-4800.