Bad Bill Bob's Commentary on LC0943

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
This bill on the outside appears as a bill designed to modify the impact part                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
of state law. But, if you take time to read it, you will discover much more.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
A core part of this bill is the addition of an occupancy permit. This will allow any                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
county to require a permit to occupy your home before you can move in. The                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
purpose is for your government to make sure you have settled up.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
But, you would be shocked at the entire shopping list that is included in Section 4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
of this bill. Not only would the government be checking to see if your fees are paid,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
they would also use the permit for monitoring local regs, documenting new                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
construction, tracking growth patterns, developing an inventory of development and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
just generally looking over your shoulder.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
In the past, occupancy permits have been used only with building permits to make                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
sure that the builder has complied with the requirements of construction codes. It has                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
always been a health and safety issue. NOW, Montana citizens would be required                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
to get this permission slip to move into their own home ANYWHERE in the county.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
This bill is taking us right back to the story line of 1984 (a spooky book about big                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
brother).