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House committee endorses $100 million Montana Water Development special fund proposal
Summary
House Bill 256 would create a new Montana Water Development state special revenue account, seed it with $100 million and authorize earnings to support water-storage investments, dam inspections and related cost‑share activities; the Committee of the Whole recommended the bill do pass (88–12).
Representative Walsh presented House Bill 256, which would establish a Montana Water Development state special revenue account and proposes a $100 million appropriation to be invested by the Board of Investments. The earnings would be used to support water storage projects, dam inspection and safety work, cost shares for existing infrastructure and future storage investments.
Representative Walsh described the proposal as a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to address water-storage needs in Montana and called it a generational investment. He said interest on the investment would be divided into existing accounts to meet storage and safety priorities.
Floor consideration was brief in the transcript excerpt; after sponsor remarks the Committee of the Whole voted to recommend House Bill 256 do pass, with the clerk recording an 88–12 tally. The bill was later re‑referred to the Appropriations Committee by the Majority Leader for further fiscal consideration as part of the normal process.
