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.