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Committee splits on renewing Grow Your Own teacher pipeline funding; HB 499 fails in committee on tie vote
Summary
HB 499, aiming to revive and expand the Grow Your Own teacher pipeline with a proposed $500,000 ongoing appropriation and last‑dollar grants for students entering teaching pathways, was debated with proponents emphasizing rural/reservation recruitment. The bill failed to be concurred by tie vote in executive action and was tabled.
Representative Cetus Crow, sponsor of HB 499, described the bill as a continuation and improvement of Montana’s Grow Your Own Grant program (teacher pipeline), seeking an ongoing appropriation of $500,000 and last‑dollar matching grants (up to $5,000/year, $10,000 per participant). Crow said the program partners (Great Falls College, MSU Northern, Blackfeet Community College) focused on pathways for high‑school students and local work‑based learning.
Supporters from higher education and advocacy groups testified that the program helps small and rural districts recruit and retain teachers. Doug Reisig (Montana Quality Education Coalition) and Curtis Smeeby (MSU Northern) cited examples of students participating in paraprofessional pathways and urged support. Committee members asked about program tracking, certification pathways and reporting requirements; the sponsor said she had added reporting language.
At executive action the committee recorded a 7–7 vote; the motion to concur failed on a tie and HB 499 was moved to the table. The transcript shows proponents characterized the program as a targeted, locally rooted recruitment strategy while some members questioned fiscal exposure and long‑term obligations.
