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Committee hears bill to let Montana National Guard use troop labor for construction training and state projects
Summary
House Bill 53 would allow Department of Military Affairs to use National Guard troop labor for certain construction and training projects; proponents said it would increase real-world training and could reduce costs by as much as 75%.
Representative Nicola Kakos introduced House Bill 53 as legislation to permit the Department of Military Affairs to use military personnel for specified training and construction projects.
Brigadier General Renee Dorval, deputy director for the Department of Military Affairs, testified in support of the bill as amended. Dorval said the bill would allow units such as Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair (Red Horse), the 260th engineering company, the 230th engineering detachment and other maintenance companies to perform projects that provide realistic training and readiness benefits while reducing construction costs. "Project cost savings as great as 75% can be realized with the use of troop labor," Dorval told the committee.
Colonel Kelly Trainham, construction and facility management officer for the Montana National Guard, appeared as an informational witness to answer technical questions about construction and facility management.
Representative Kakos said the measure was intended to turn training days into productive work that also trains soldiers for wartime tasks. She acknowledged concerns from labor organizations and said an amendment was negotiated to address scope and size concerns raised by labor.
Committee members asked whether the measure could offend unions; Trainham replied no. The committee also discussed removing competitive bidding provisions for projects similar to allowances made for other state agencies.
Ending: Supporters recommended a do-pass; Representative Kakos asked for a yes vote and offered to name a sponsor on the Senate floor if the committee approved.
