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Committee backs plan to open Montana trade office in Israel to boost ag, tech ties
Summary
The committee approved House Bill 950 to establish a Montana trade office in Israel. Supporters said the office would expand research and trade opportunities in agriculture, photonics and water technology; the Department of Commerce said costs would be higher than other trade offices because of higher local operating costs in Jerusalem.
House Bill 950, introduced by Representative Brad Barker, would establish a Montana trade office in Israel to cultivate research, development and trade ties in sectors such as agriculture, photonics, water technology and defense-related manufacturing.
Barker said Israel imports most of its wheat and that Montana agricultural products, beef and pulse crops have market opportunities. He also highlighted potential collaboration in photonics and water-technology research with Montana businesses and Montana State University programs.
Greg (surname provided in the transcript as a proponent) and other proponents emphasized Montana’s agricultural exports and industry expertise as a fit with Israel’s market and innovation ecosystem. Department of Commerce Deputy Director Mandy Rambo testified that the department already operates trade offices in Japan and Taiwan and would staff the Israel office if the bill is approved. Rambo said state experience shows a dedicated in-country staffer can produce measurable trade growth: Taiwan’s trade increased about 34% year over year after establishing a dedicated state office.
Rambo told the committee that an Israel office would cost more than the department’s Japan and Taiwan offices due to higher local operating costs in Jerusalem and that the appropriation in the bill was intended to cover startup and ongoing costs. She described the office model: the trade office provides local business-development services and does not charge Montana companies to use its services, though businesses often pay travel and participation costs for missions.
Committee members asked about coordination with U.S. federal trade offices and whether the state office would duplicate federal efforts. Rambo said the state offices work with U.S. Trade Offices and that an in-country state representative provides tailored support for Montana businesses — especially smaller firms that may not be able to fund their own outreach.
The committee voted to pass HB 950 out of committee by roll call (17 yes, 6 no). Supporters said the office would help diversify export markets and strengthen research collaborations; Commerce said funding would be a mixture of state general fund and existing trade-related revenue streams and that the appropriation would be needed to start the office.
