Key legislation by Jon Tester now public law

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This week, Lee Newspapers is examining the records of Montana farmer Jon Tester and Congressman Dennis Rehberg.

Jon Tester puts Montana first in every decision he makes, and he effectively works with Republicans, Democrats and Independents to write and pass responsible policy.  Every bill he writes stems from an idea or concern that comes directly from Montana.

The following is a partial list of bills and amendments either authored or co-written by Jon Tester that are now Public Law. Since 2007, Congress has often incorporated smaller legislation into larger bills, thus resulting in fewer “stand alone” bills being signed into law.

VETERANS & HOMELAND SECURITY

• The Disabled Veterans Fairness Act of 2007 (S.994): Nearly quadrupled the VA’s mileage reimbursement rate for disabled veterans—the first increase in 30 years. Included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008 (Pubic Law No. 110-161).
• Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act (S.658): Made numerous improvements to health care benefits for veterans in rural states like Montana. Included in the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act (S.1963, Public Law No. 111-163).
• Project Access Received Closer to Home (ARCH) for Veterans (part of Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act): Expands access to VA health care in rural areas. Included in the Veterans’ Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law No. 110-387).
• Amendment requiring an investigation and report to Congress on the vulnerabilities of America’s northern border (S.Amdt 3117): Part of the Improving America’s Security Act of 2007 (Public Law No. 110-53).
• Project SHAD Veterans Health Care (S.2937): Provides VA care to participants of the military’s Shipboard Hazard and Defense program. Included in the Veterans’ Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law No. 110-387).
• Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011 (S.894): Resulted in a cost-of-living increase in veterans’ benefits. Enacted.
• Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2012 (S.2259): Will result in a cost-of-living increase in veterans’ benefits. Awaiting enactment.
• VOW To Hire Heroes Act (S.Amdt. 927): Provides tax credits for businesses that hire veterans and expand on-the-job training/apprenticeship programs for veterans. Included in H.R. 647. (Public Law No. 112-56).
• Modernizing the American Legion (S. 1639): Permits the American Legion to accept debit and credit card payments online. (Public Law No. 112-66).
• Treating Vet Centers as VA facilities (S.696): Treats Vet Centers as VA facilities for purposes of authorized payments or allowances for beneficiary travel to or from a VA facility in connection with medical care. Included in the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 (Public Law No. 112-154).

MONTANA’S OUTDOOR HERITAGE

• Delisting Gray Wolves to Restore State Management Act (S.321): Removed Montana’s gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act and returned their management to the State of Montana. Included in the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011 (Public Law No. 112-10).
• Wolf Livestock Loss Mitigation Act (“Wolf Kill Bill”) (S.2875): Reimburses ranchers whose animals are killed by wolves; improves wolf kill prevention measures. Included in the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (S.22, Public Law No. 111-11).
• Preservation of the Second Amendment in National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges Act (S.816): Allows law-abiding Americans to transport firearms through national parks. Included in the Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 (Public Law No. 111-24).
• Cooperative Watershed Management Act (S.3085): Improves management of clean water resources through collaborative input from local stakeholders. Included in the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (S.22, Public Law No. 111-11).
• East Bench Irrigation District water Contract Extension Act (S.997):Extends a contract for water services between the U.S. and the East Bench Irrigation District (Public Law No. 112-139).

ON THE SIDE OF CONSUMERS AND TAXPAYERS

• Amendment ending a $25/week bonus in government benefits, resulting in a savings of $6 billion for taxpayers: Part of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-312).
• Universal Default Prohibition Act of 2009(S.399): Prohibits credit card companies from unfairly changing terms on customers. Included in the Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 (Public Law No. 111-24).
• No Pay Raise for Congress Act of 2012: Eliminates cost of living adjustments for Members of Congress during calendar year 2013. Included in the Fiscal Year2013 Continuing Appropriations Resolution (Public Law No. 112-175).
• Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2012: Allows small companies to sell as much as $50 million in shares without filing lengthy paperwork. Included in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (Public Law No. 112-106).

AGRICULTURE

• Biofuel Crop Insurance Pilot Program (S.1242): Established a crop insurance program for farmers who grow biofuel crops, such as camelina. Included in the Farm Bill of 2008 (Public Law No. 110-246).
• Amendment removing family farmers and small food producers from federal regulations they don’t need and can’t afford: Part of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (Public Law No. 111-353).

RURAL AMERICA

• Amendment requiring Amtrak to examine the feasibility of restoring the North Coast Hiawatha route through southern Montana: Part of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (Public Law 110-432).
• Amendment guaranteeing at least 20 percent public health grants goes to rural communities: Part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law No. 111-148).

INDIAN COUNTRY

• Tribal Law and Order Act of 2009 (S.797): Improves law enforcement and prosecution of criminal activity in Indian Country. Public Law No. 111-211.
• Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2009 (S.375): Ratified the Crow Tribe’s longstanding water rights settlement. Included in the Claims Resolution Act of 2010 (Public Law No. 111-291).

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