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Committee advances bill to codify 40/40/20 split for trail stewardship grants
Summary
Senate Bill 310 would set a statutory split for Trail Stewardship Grant Program funds—40% motorized, 40% nonmotorized, 20% diversified—and clarify eligible uses including equipment, maintenance, safety, education and feasibility studies; committee advanced the bill unanimously.
The Montana House Fish and Wildlife Committee advanced Senate Bill 310, a bill to codify the split and eligible uses for the Trail Stewardship Grant Program administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP).
Senator Barry Usher, sponsor of SB 310, told the committee the bill “puts into law the split of 40 for motorized, 40% for non motorized, and 20% for programs that can benefit both such as search and rescue.” He said the bill “does not raise any new funds or fees” but clarifies how existing monies may be allocated and spent.
Proponents from trail groups and the snowmobile association said the 2019 program language lacked sufficient specificity about eligible expenses and that codifying the split would protect motorized projects from being consistently out-scored by nonmotorized applications during grant scoring.
Fred Bailey, president of the Montana Snowmobile Association, described changes sought by proponents: “We found motorized was competing against non motorized for these monies and a lot of times the motorized applications were not the real flashy pretty ones … they were more consistent like grooming or trail clean up,” and the bill would allow motorized projects a guaranteed share while allowing unused portions to be reallocated.
Proponents asked the committee to expand eligible project categories to include equipment purchases, maintenance such as parking lots and latrines, safety programs, education, feasibility and planning studies, trail signage, search-and-rescue support and avalanche center funding. Jason Howell of West Yellowstone said the changes would allow funding for safety and education and for trail counters to measure economic use.
FWP staff and the budget analyst answered committee questions about funding sources and administration. Joy Ross, FWP budget analyst, and Beth Shumate, parks and outdoor recreation assistant administrator, explained the program draws on an allocation from light motor vehicle registration fees (a portion of a $9 optional state parks fee) and marijuana tax proceeds. Shumate said the fund has been allocated annually with no balance carried forward.
Committee members asked about differences in cost between motorized and nonmotorized projects; FWP staff said motorized projects often have higher equipment and operational costs. Advocates said the bill includes a 20% diversified pool that can be flexed if one category does not fully use its allocation.
The committee took executive action and advanced SB 310 to the House floor by voice vote with proxies recorded; committee leadership announced unanimous support. Representative Oblander was identified as the House floor carrier for the bill.
Supporters characterized SB 310 as a clarification and codification of long-standing practice to ensure predictability for clubs, agencies and grant applicants.
