Executive Order 01-02

State of Montana
Office of the Governor

EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING THE MONTANA CORRECTIONAL ENTERPRISES RANCH ADVISORY COUNCIL

WHEREAS: The Montana Department of Corrections owns and operates a ranch on prison property which includes inmate work programs and job training opportunities; and

WHEREAS: The Montana Department of Corrections seeks guidance and assistance in the continuing operations of and programs involved in running a ranch; and

WHEREAS: The Governor and Director of the Department of Corrections believe that community involvement and state-wide understanding of the operations of the Montana Correctional Enterprises ranch would be beneficial to the State of Montana;  and

WHEREAS: There are continuing changes in land use policies within the State of Montana and especially in the Deer Lodge Valley which will impact the Montana Correctional Enterprises Ranch; and

WHEREAS: The City of Deer Lodge and Powell County have continuing issues concerning taxation and compensation for the activities comprising the Montana Correctional Enterprises Ranch.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JUDY MARTZ, Governor of the State of Montana, hereby re-establish the Montana State Prison Ranch Advisory Council, within the Department of Corrections, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2-15-122 and 2-15-102(8), MCA, pursuant to the request of Bill Slaughter, Director.

I.   PURPOSE:

The purpose of the Council shall be to assist and advise the Montana Department of Corrections in the management of the ranch properties and to assist the Department in establishing policies to be implemented by the Ranch Manager.

II.  COMPOSITION

The Council shall be composed of no more than ten (10) members.  The names and addresses of members who shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor are submitted by separate letter to the Secretary of State and the Department of Corrections.

III. DURATION

The Council shall exist for a period of two years from the effective date of this Order unless otherwise ordered by subsequent Executive Order. This Order is effective immediately.