Establishing a Montana trade office in Israel

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69th Legislature 2025 HB 950.1
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 950
1 HOUSE BILL NO. 950
2 INTRODUCED BY B. BARKER, E. ALBUS, D. BAUM, D. BEDEY, L. BENNETT, M. BERTOGLIO, L.
3 BREWSTER, E. BUTTREY, B. CLOSE, C. COCHRAN, J. COHENOUR, J. DARLING, S. DEMAROIS, N.
4 DURAM, S. ESSMANN, D. FERN, S. FITZPATRICK, J. FITZPATRICK, B. GILLESPIE, R. GREGG, G.
5 HUNTER, L. JONES, J. KASSMIER, S. KELLY, S. KLAKKEN, G. KMETZ, G. LAMMERS, B. LER, J. LYNCH,
6 F. MANDEVILLE, S. MANESS, M. MARLER, T. MCGILLVRAY, W. MCKAMEY, R. MINER, B. MITCHELL, V.
7 MOORE, L. MUSZKIEWICZ, T. NELSON, A. NICASTRO, G. NIKOLAKAKOS, M. NIKOLAKAKOS, G.
8 OBLANDER, G. OVERSTREET, G. PARRY, J. REAVIS, L. REKSTEN, M. ROMANO, C. SCHOMER, T.
9 SHARP, L. SMITH, C. SPRUNGER, E. STAFMAN, P. STRAND, M. THANE, M. THIEL, E. TILLEMAN, P.
10 TUSS, S. VANCE, M. VINTON, K. WALSH, Z. WIRTH, M. YAKAWICH, K. ZOLNIKOV
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12 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MONTANA TRADE OFFICE IN ISRAEL;
13 PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND A TERMINATION DATE.”
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15 WHEREAS, the State of Montana is committed to expanding international trade opportunities that
16 support economic growth, job creation, and innovation across the state; and
17 WHEREAS, Israel is a strategic global partner and a recognized leader in sectors such as agriculture,
18 water technology, cybersecurity, photonics, optics, quantum computing, defense, energy, and biotechnology,
19 which are industries that align closely with Montana’s economic strengths and development goals; and
20 WHEREAS, establishing a Montana trade office in Israel will create a direct and sustained presence to
21 promote bilateral trade, attract foreign investment, and facilitate business partnerships in areas of mutual
22 interest; and
23 WHEREAS, a dedicated trade office will strengthen Montana’s ability to market its goods and services
24 abroad, support Montana companies in accessing new markets, and foster collaboration in research,
25 technology, and innovation; and
26 WHEREAS, enhancing economic cooperation between Montana and Israel through a formal trade
27 office will contribute to long-term economic growth and global competitiveness for Montana’s economy.
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69th Legislature 2025 HB 950.1
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HB 950
1 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
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3 NEW SECTION. Section 1. Trade office -- intent. (1) The department of commerce shall establish,
4 staff with at least one person, and maintain a trade office in Israel to promote trade and tourism between the
5 residents of Israel and the residents of Montana.
6 (2) The establishment of the trade office is for promotional purposes only and is not intended to
7 regulate or impede interstate commerce or commerce with foreign nations.
8 (3) The purpose of the trade office is to strengthen cultural, diplomatic, and economic ties between
9 this state and Israel and to strengthen and expand existing relations and opportunities, including but not limited
10 to:
11 (a) agriculture, particularly pulse crops, meats, and agricultural technologies;
12 (b) culture, diplomacy, and educational exchange programs; and
13 (c) technology, security, and defense research and development, including optics, photonics, and
14 quantum computing.
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16 NEW SECTION. Section 2. Appropriation. (1) There is appropriated $500,000 from the general fund
17 to the department of commerce for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, for the purposes established in
18 [section 1].
19 (2) The appropriation in subsection (1) is intended to be included in the ongoing base until June
20 30, 2033, after which the amount of the appropriation must be removed from the base.
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22 NEW SECTION. Section 3. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an
23 integral part of Title 90, and the provisions of Title 90 apply to [section 1].
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25 NEW SECTION. Section 4. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2025.
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27 NEW SECTION. Section 5. Termination. [This act] terminates June 30, 2033.
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