Memo
TO: Board of Regents
FROM: Richard A. Crofts, Commissioner
SUBJECT: 2001 Legislative Agenda
DATE: November 1, 2000
Just prior to each Legislative session I review with the Board of Regents the items (non-budget) we have identified to pursue during the upcoming session. I have listed below this year's legislative agenda developed in consultation with the Policy Committee. While no formal action by the Board of Regents is required, I do believe it is important to document the Regents' knowledge of these issues. As we move into and through the legislative session other issues may arise. I will keep you informed about those issues as they come up.
Eight items comprise our legislative agenda at this time:
- Necessary revisions to the Family Education Savings Act to make it consistent with Federal tax code and regulation.
- Extend the Montana Tax credit for donations to our campus foundations.
- Statutory provision for faculty equity in start-up companies originated out of faculty research. We are currently limited to licensing technology created by our faculty. More incentives can be provided through creating an equity position.
- Efficiencies in restructuring campus telephone service.
- Ability to accommodate spousal hiring for recruitment purposes. This would permit us to hire the spouse of an individual we were trying to recruit without the formal advertising process.
- Continued identification of the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education as the "sole state agency" for the administration of the Federal Perkins program. See item 109-107-R1100 in the agenda (Old Business) for this meeting.
- Possible expansion of the High School Honors Scholarship Program.
- Statutory appropriation for the Tribal Colleges for non-beneficiary students who attend those institutions.