Lawmakers hear extension request for lead-in-drinking-water reimbursement program

Representative Paul Tuss presented House Bill 234, asking the committee to extend a prior appropriation for lead-in-drinking-water remediation in schools that was approved in 2023. "This bill's sole purpose is to extend an appropriation'that was approved in the 2023 session to the coming biennium for the purpose of funding the abatement of lead in school drinking water systems," Tuss said.

Tuss and proponents explained implementation has taken longer than anticipated because the program is reimbursement-based and requires districts to complete mitigation work, pay costs up front, and then seek reimbursement. Rob Watson, representing school administrators and the coalition of advocates for Montana's public schools, said districts must identify fixtures, hire contractors, and spend down federal ESSER funds before qualifying; many districts lack the upfront cash or available contractors, particularly in rural areas.

Lindsey Kravaruchka of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) said 68 schools have not yet sampled and noted DEQ has conducted outreach; she confirmed $3,700,000 was originally allocated and that $3,700,000.06 (stated in testimony) has been spent to date (tying to the transcript's reporting of reimbursements). DEQ staff said the program uses existing inventories and that DPHHS rules govern enforcement beyond sampling. Shannon James of the Montana Environmental Information Center urged preservation of the funds, stressing children's vulnerability to lead exposure. The committee later concurred with HB 234 during executive action.