[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6111073,"mediaKeyId","2753130-70f929aa84161dc8f21ef9ee5da69786","parentId",2753130,"title","Senate committee hears House Bill 6 to fund water, wastewater and irrigation grants after revenue estimate cut","audioSeconds",1263,"startMs",285000,"endMs",1548000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2753130-70f929aa84161dc8f21ef9ee5da69786&start=285&end=1548","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2753130-70f929aa84161dc8f21ef9ee5da69786/thumbnail_285000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6111073/Montana/Senate-committee-hears-House-Bill-6-to-fund-water-wastewater-and-irrigation-grants-after-revenue-estimate-cut","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6111073-6fff858c4c81d20e1b32ab5071cd22af/orig.mp4?Expires=1775624067&Signature=GaJeWV5O3tfI1wPWAR6s3R7GNB2XHjn-gB3epuWWW8EuhsU3XWlgXuauQ1vh02ToYa68~wq7FJRMo~9gvuyAofdPyBBb5dFLkls7RNlNBTx2vJB7jLbWNVkDSIpcD78bhJ-jft08gUACKvkPvvOAoYjOXc-8wuG-9YLnm-K4pXYA5MydVKW5jy79hqxCNCP3PJTZBSP33JgxU5BYdLDJaxLhfsWn5gomLkwLeLn2GZeVZQYfYMSRcogKJCnzaMamJxFV9yNn4h37I8uw1z81kpTIXLrfCM8MFfbmpM2dZfPUXtLJ0GN4ID~LcYRs14MGnmqu7appbfgE2OVeqYXlrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-24T00:00:00Z","article","Representative John Fitzpatrick, House District 76, opened the Senate Finance and Claims hearing on House Bill 6, saying the bill is “one of 12 bills that make up the executive budget recommendation to the legislature.” The bill would appropriate grants from interest on the Resource Indemnity and Ground‑Water Protection (RIGW) trust for local water, wastewater and irrigation repairs and improvements.

The bill’s sponsor and agency witnesses told the committee the bill’s funding was cut after an error in the revenue estimate. “After the bill was introduced, it was discovered that there had been a significant error in the revenue estimate and it was necessary to reduce the scope of the bill and limit the number of projects that could be funded by, roughly 50% of the revenue anticipated in the original bill,” Fitzpatrick said. As printed for the committee, the bill funds project lists through the town of Ennis on the water/wastewater list and 21 irrigation projects through the Sunset irrigation project on the irrigation list.

Autumn Coleman, deputy administrator for the Conservation and Resource Development Division at the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), described the Renewable Resource Grant (RRG) programs included in the bill and how DNRC ranks and selects projects. “The purpose of the renewable resource grant loan program is to further the state's policies set forth in section 85‑1‑1101, Montana Code Annotated, regarding the conservation, development, and preservation and beneficial use of renewable resources,” Coleman said. She told senators DNRC received 71 grant applications for the current biennium and outlined program categories including project grants (up to $125,000), emergency grants, irrigation development grants, private grants that produce public benefit, and nonpoint source pollution grants.

Committee members questioned prioritization decisions after the reduction. Fitzpatrick and witnesses said two projects in Granite County were removed because they offered no local match; of the roughly 70 projects originally listed, those two were the only ones with no matching funds. Fitzpatrick said the House added voluntary language encouraging applicants to provide local match, which can improve ranking. He also said DNRC staff expect additional revenues in the next few weeks that could allow more projects from the ranked list to be funded.

Stakeholder witnesses uniformly supported the bill’s programs. Jennifer Olson, government affairs director for the Montana League of Cities and Towns, urged passage. Clayton Elliott of Trident Unlimited told the committee planning grants in the bill are critical for assembling design and funding packages. Mike Murphy of the Montana Water Resources Association and Ben Rigby, executive director of Montana Rural Water Systems, said the grants and planning dollars help rural operators and irrigation districts address aging infrastructure and attract additional federal and local funds. Jeffrey Tiberi for the Montana Association of Conservation Districts voiced support on behalf of conservation districts statewide.

Committee members also asked procedural questions about transfers and future funding. Fitzpatrick and staff said a transfer from another bill likely will be needed to close the gap between the original revenue estimate and available funds; they described such transfers as uncommon but possible. DNRC staff said projects are ranked on measurable public benefits, technical feasibility and financial feasibility and that many projects combine multiple funding sources.

The hearing closed with the sponsor noting DNRC would provide updated information about how many projects could be funded if additional revenues materialize.

Ending: The committee took testimony and closed the hearing on House Bill 6 without taking a vote; senators said they expect updated fiscal information and possible follow‑up when additional revenue details are available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Finance and Claims - Monday, Mar 24, 2025 08:59 - 09:59","oneSentenceSummary","Representative John Fitzpatrick, House District 76, opened the Senate Finance and Claims hearing on House Bill 6, saying the bill is “one of 12 bills that make up the executive budget recommendation to the legislature.”","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6111064,"Committee hears House Bill 8 to reauthorize and issue loans for regional water projects, including St. Mary’s/Milk River",835,2373000,3208000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2753130-70f929aa84161dc8f21ef9ee5da69786&start=2373&end=3208","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2753130-70f929aa84161dc8f21ef9ee5da69786/thumbnail_2373000.jpg","/articles/6111064/Montana/Committee-hears-House-Bill-8-to-reauthorize-and-issue-loans-for-regional-water-projects-including-St-MarysMilk-River","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6111064-43495a434db4260863846ee0a0ff08ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1775624067&Signature=Y04Y9TdN8C7oVq7qMEnh0T4XVTkNCE~mk1nKgC7W6eZbFc9GDUe-f9Yg1pqVfqB0LH-zDZLD~RHTGCV-4oI6unKWEznSiwSHMDtsBT0AZhA7NDB6Q6TwN1mfvZPXWQ3wGr2BCV8zlJHKmTNbFN5s5r2HoDFhFBUfA0VVEWAWeKsWSi41J8llh1paZW8VL1cyYuRqB7tGCwFnB90ksxx5Z1dK3wHc3kgfLaH50mcAIkvsuXhlYF4qpHICuxtIbFx9MIpAlqaJhz85C14q2F6KO3ROFD5B~t7tDjmNxM0gB69hfTTlZdTcPqEpoQoqwzrVBe6OVr6t-wqw4LV3v5adtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative John Fitzpatrick, House District 76, presented House Bill 8 to the Senate Finance and Claims Committee as the Renewable Resource Loan Program administered by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). Fitzpatrick said House Bill 8 would appropriate funds and reauthorize loans funded by coal severance tax bonds, and described loan terms and repayment by water users.

Autumn Coleman, deputy administrator at DNRC, explained that public loans in the program are backed by coal severance tax bonds and are available to public entities that demonstrate benefit to renewable resources and the ability to repay. She told senators loan interest rates and terms are set in the bill and that public loan applications are accepted by DNRC in even‑numbered years. Coleman said the bill includes reauthorization of $84,600,000 in previously authorized loans, and requests authority for new loans and a bond reserve; the bill text lists a $40,000,000 beneficiary share for the Saint Mary’s/Milk River project that project beneficiaries can borrow for any part of the project.

Stakeholder witnesses including Montana Water Resources Association, Montana Rural Water Systems and the Montana League of Cities and Towns testified in support. Ben Rigby, executive director of Montana Rural Water Systems, said the loans paired with grants are often the only way small communities can finance long‑term upgrades, and described how his organization helps municipalities plan rate structures to repay loans. Coleman told senators many regional projects have also received federal Bureau of Reclamation funds and in some cases have not needed state loans in recent biennia; she said delays on some projects have been caused by contractor shortages rather than lack of authorization.

Senators asked for status updates on large projects and how repayment is structured. Fitzpatrick and DNRC staff said projects are moving but large undertakings such as Saint Mary’s may not be completed within the coming biennium; DNRC explained loan repayment is structured with local rate payers and DNRC evaluates rate structures and the borrower’s ability to repay before closing loans.

Ending: The committee took testimony and closed the hearing on House Bill 8 without a vote; sponsors indicated DNRC and fiscal staff will provide any needed follow‑up on loan reauthorizations and contractor timing.","House Bill 8 would authorize loans for renewable resource water projects, reauthorize previously approved loans and request coal severance tax bond authority; DNRC and stakeholders told senators projects are proceeding but contractor shortages have delayed work on some large items such as the Saint Mary’s/Milk River project.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6111069,"Senate committee hears House Bill 7 to fund reclamation, high‑hazard dam and drought projects",935,1483000,2418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2753130-70f929aa84161dc8f21ef9ee5da69786&start=1483&end=2418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2753130-70f929aa84161dc8f21ef9ee5da69786/thumbnail_1483000.jpg","/articles/6111069/Montana/Senate-committee-hears-House-Bill-7-to-fund-reclamation-highhazard-dam-and-drought-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6111069-43121421e090f396be884ff35c118224/orig.mp4?Expires=1775624067&Signature=i3fpSyEqNtGdcI~DPtg-l78q-qnuZRdp41JTs9xhOKNSP4NPAq~VjthAtAodHryHrNn28hras36EbeSI~BPbYQJhi9mZPjsWZNed168CjcOdZSWwModrgRuI5jeyWANP5SWKIT5KANvIXzqA7ndvXmdUQ5VNIY3eSae0h69tJpZ5-H6-Zaj3pdhJpJ5O--uZ7LLZYmu2qQevjdu13~tUE1ppB79zgk2IAaDRfw4NvhVP8EJez88HJSg4qJVgwdznLLSiHUFI3-LxCOB8IorMg~1y-Z8R~QxcoOkIPXvFS8k7jTT~Goprl7Sm0kcx7Nq8C7SPDNS7QQy2erXYLcKxKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative John Fitzpatrick, House District 76, presented House Bill 7 to the Senate Finance and Claims Committee as the reclamation and development grants (RDG) program administered by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). Fitzpatrick said RDG funds address sites harmed by historic mining, petroleum releases and other resource extraction when no responsible party can be found and described the program’s preference for abandoned‑mine projects.

Autumn Coleman, deputy administrator at DNRC, said the RDG program funds both project grants (up to $500,000) and planning grants (up to $70,000) and that projects are ranked by statutory criteria including public resource benefits, urgency and technical feasibility. “The reclamation and development grants program statute also allows for projects that meet this crucial state need definition, which is to serve the public interest and total environment of the citizens of Montana,” Coleman said. She told senators DNRC received 17 applications requesting just over $7.1 million; seven sought abandoned‑mine reclamation funding and 10 addressed crucial state needs such as high‑hazard dams and drought mitigation.

Fitzpatrick and DNRC staff said the same revenue‑estimate error that affected House Bill 6 also limited funding available in House Bill 7; as printed, the bill contains $700,000 for planning grants and $3,800,000 for reclamation grants, funding projects down through the East Fork Dam project on the printed list. Fitzpatrick recounted that a project in Granite County was not funded because the local applicant offered no match; he said the county had an elevated cash balance and declined to provide local funds requested for administration and matching.

Proponents including Trout Unlimited, the Montana League of Cities and Towns, Montana Rural Water Systems and the Montana Association of Conservation Districts testified in support of the bill. They said planning grants and reclamation investments help protect drinking water sources and stabilize contaminated sites, rehabilitate dams, and support rural economies.

Committee members asked when additional money might be available to expand the funded list; Fitzpatrick said staff expect to know within about a week which could permit prorating or adding projects. DNRC staff said they follow statutory ranking and plan to notify the committee if further revenues can be distributed across the two bills in a prorated fashion.

Ending: The committee closed the hearing on House Bill 7 without a vote and scheduled follow‑up as DNRC and fiscal staff refine revenue estimates and potential transfers.","House Bill 7 would fund reclamation and development grants for abandoned‑mine, hazardous‑substance and crucial‑state‑need projects. DNRC staff said the bill contains planning and project grant pots and that an incorrect revenue estimate reduced available funding; sponsors said one Granite County request was removed for lack of matching funds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee hears House Bill 6 to fund water, wastewater and irrigation grants after revenue estimate cut

Committee hears House Bill 8 to reauthorize and issue loans for regional water projects, including St. Mary’s/Milk River

Senate committee hears House Bill 7 to fund reclamation, high‑hazard dam and drought projects