March. Determining that the Governor might welcome 

 legislation to address the financial problems of Montana 

 farmers, the Subcommittee considered and then adopted 

 four bills proposed by Senator Neuman. These bills are 

 summarized below as follows: 



(1) A bill to establish a state linked deposit 

 program, whereby the state would use public 

 investment funds to purchase certificates of 

 deposit at a discounted rate from 

 participating banks, who would then be 

 required to make agricultural loans available 

 to borrowers at favorable interest rates. 



(2) A bill to provide financial and farm 

 management counseling, debt mediation, legal 

 services, and mental health assistance for the 

 state's financially distressed farmers. 



(3) A resolution to urge the U.S. Secretary of 

 Agriculture to make advance CCC loan payments 

 available to Montana farmers, as authorized 

 under provisions of the 1985 Farm Bill, 

 thereby making available money for the 1986 

 planting season. 



(4) A resolution asking the U.S. Congress not to 

 propose or approve any additional tax on 

 imported oil because of the impact such tax 

 would have upon Montana agricultural 

 producers. 



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