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We're less than a month away from the start of the 2011 state legislative session. Bozeman city officials are already looking ahead.

Some of the big issues the city commission is looking at for the upcoming session are medical marijuana, DUI statutes, and the Local Option Resort Tax.

Three bills changing the Montana Medical Marijuana Law wait for the legislature's consideration as of now.

LC284 prohibits local governments from banning the substance.

LC295 makes smoking marijuana punishable under the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act.

LC296 clarifies an employer's rights related to employee use of marijuana.

City Attorney Greg Sullivan says Bozeman's marijuana ordinance passed this summer addresses each one of these.

"I don't see a whole lot of impact to our current program," he said, but adds the city is watching for other marijuana bills to crop up during the session.

With DU,I the state is looking at several bills reexamining topics like the severity of punishment for driving drunk and the fine structure.

"We're gonna follow those carefully because we spend an awful lot of time in our office and the Bozeman Police Department and all of the support services that we have handling DUI," Sullivan said.

The Local Option Resort Tax provides transportation infrastructure funding for towns like Bozeman with a high tourism draw. Sullivan says the Montana League of Cities and Towns is not supporting the tax for the first time in nearly 30 years. Be sure the city will be watching that.

The City Commission discusses the legislative session during their Monday Public meeting.

Related Links:

Memorandum on Commission discussion

What is the Local Option Resort Tax?