Keith Kelly, Director, Montana Department of 

 Agriculture, urged continuation of the state linked 

 deposit program and submitted information concerning 

 current operation of the program. 



John Cadby, Montana Bankers Association, testified 

 that LC 477 would provide greater incentives for banks 

 to participate in the state program. Mr. Cadby also 

 expressed concern that the $1 million appropriation 

 contained in LC 478 would result in some controversy. 



Continuation of the Agricultural Assistance and 

 Counseling Program (LC 479) 



Keith Kelly, Director, Montana Department of 

 Agriculture, reported on current program activity to 

 assist financially distressed farmers. He urged support 

 for LC 479. 



John Cadby, Montana Bankers Association, testified 

 that his organization supported the voluntary mediation 

 feature of the Montana Agricultural Assistance and 

 Counseling Program. He stated that the Montana Bankers 

 Association would oppose mandatory mediation. 



Kay Blehm, Northern Plains Resource Council, spoke 

 in support of financial counseling services, but 

 indicated that her organization would request the right 

 to farm debt mediation. 



Jim Fleischmann, Montana People's Action, said 

 that voluntary mediation had not worked well in Montana 

 and that his organization would seek legislation to 

 provide the right to mediation. 



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