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Montana bill to open trade office in Israel draws hours of public opposition
Summary
House Business and Labor heard hours of testimony on HB 950, which would create a Montana trade office in Israel and carry a $500,000 biennial appropriation; proponents tied the office to Montana strengths in photonics and ag tech, while opponents urged keeping the money in-state and criticized ties to companies they said support Israeli military operations.
House Business and Labor opened and closed a public hearing on House Bill 950, a proposal to create a Montana trade office in Israel with a biennial appropriation of $500,000 ($250,000 per year). The bill’s sponsor, Representative Brad Barker (R‑House District 55), said the office would promote Montana research-and-development and exports — particularly in photonics, agriculture technology, water technology, biotech and cyber — and cited Bozeman’s large photonics cluster as a natural fit.
Why it matters: The measure would create a state presence in a politically sensitive foreign market while directing taxpayer money to support Montana businesses’ market-development efforts overseas. Proponents framed HB 950 as a targeted economic tool tied to existing Montana industry strengths; opponents framed it as a moral and fiscal error and urged prioritizing Montana spending at home.
Supporters’ case: Barker and Montana Department of Commerce witnesses…
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