Senator Barry Usher introduced Senate Joint Resolution 10 at a House Legislative Administration Committee hearing to recognize the 50th anniversary of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Senator Barry Usher, Senate District 19 (Northern Yellowstone County, Musselshell, Golden Valley, Petroleum and Fergus counties), described the NCSL as a resource for legislators and staff: "NCSL is your organization our organization all legislators in The United States and territories are automatic members and so are our staff," he said, adding that NCSL provides research, a data warehouse, training and interstate policy forums.

Usher said Montana has played a role in NCSL since the organization's founding, and he noted that former Montana Senator Antoinette Roselle was one of the founding members. He also said he serves on the NCSL executive board in a leadership role and asked the committee for a favorable recommendation: "So with that said, we'd like to recognize our fiftieth anniversary with this resolution, and I ask for a green."

There were no proponents or opponents in the room; Senator Usher noted that Kallie Wicks had asked him to register support but was unable to attend because she was in another hearing. No informational witnesses appeared and the committee took no formal vote at the hearing.

Why it matters: the resolution is ceremonial and recognizes an organization that provides research, training and policy services to state legislatures and staff. Usher emphasized NCSL's role in offering research support for legislatures that do not have extensive in-house staff and its annual summit where member legislatures vote on policy priorities.

The committee closed the hearing without action and the sponsor indicated he would seek a floor carrier for the resolution.

Votes at the hearing: none recorded.