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Senate amends trails grant bill but ties leave SB 310 stalled; later motion tables it
Summary
Senate Fish and Game amended SB 310 to change grant advance payment terms and allocations for motorized/non‑motorized trail projects; a roll‑call produced a 6–6 tie so the bill did not advance and the committee later voted to table it 10–2.
The Montana Senate Fish and Game Committee amended Senate Bill 310 to adjust payment terms and program allocations for the trails and recreational facilities grant program but did not advance the bill after a tie vote. Committee members later moved to table the bill.
A sponsor explained the bill would add projects eligible for trail stewardship grant funding and that the amendment would change the advance payment percentages, allowing awardees to receive 75 percent up front and 25 percent upon verified expenditure. Committee discussion clarified eligible projects include trailhead toilets, emergency shelter, and construction of walking paths; federal, state and private entities may apply.
During floor debate in committee, senators questioned whether projects that already receive other appropriations could still apply. One committee member noted some grooming programs already receive annual funding and gas‑tax support; staff said those groups could still apply for this grant program. The committee also heard that a primary funding source for related grant programs has been a $9 parks/recreation opt‑out fee tied to vehicle licensing.
The committee held a roll‑call vote on the bill as amended. The clerk recorded six senators voting yes and six voting no, so the bill did not advance. The roll call recorded these votes as follows: Senator Ellsworth—No; Vice Chair Flowers—No; Senator Hertz—Yes; Senator McGillivray—No; Senator Morgeot—No; Senator Noland—Yes; Senator Novak—No (by proxy); Senator Phelan—Yes; Senator Ricky—Yes; Senator Smith—No; Vice Chair Vance—Yes; Senator Logie—Yes. After the tie, an additional motion to table SB 310 as amended passed by voice and was announced as 10–2, and the bill was tabled.
The committee recorded the amendment passing earlier by unanimous voice vote, but the subsequent tie on final passage left SB 310 stalled. The committee moved on to other hearings after tabling the bill.
