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Committee advances HB 346 to exempt Commerce grant and loan programs from MEPA review at award stage

2221280 · February 3, 2025
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Summary

House Bill 346 would exempt Department of Commerce grant and loan programs from Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) analysis during the application/reimbursement stage, while retaining MEPA for permitting where required; the committee advanced the bill unanimously in executive action.

The House Natural Resources Committee advanced House Bill 346, a red-tape reduction bill sponsored by Representative Paul Tops that would exempt Department of Commerce grant and loan programs from MEPA analysis at the application and award stage. Representative Tops said the measure would prevent duplicative environmental reviews when applicants also must complete federal or local environmental analyses.

"This bill removes the cost of having to complete two separate environmental analyses,…

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