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House bill revises state finance law, creates authority to spend fundraised dollars for Montana Ireland Trade Commission
Summary
Representative Lou Jones presented House Bill 863 to revise state finance law wording and create a $100,000 spending authority tied to a new account for the Montana Ireland Trade Commission; Department of Commerce said the appropriation provides authority to spend fundraised dollars but does not supply cash from the state.
Representative Lou Jones introduced House Bill 863 as a general revision of state finance laws intended to fix issues missed in other bills. He said the bill corrects definitions so reports and ratios reflect funds now in separate accounts and creates an appropriation to allow a state account for the Montana Ireland Trade Commission to spend fundraised dollars.
Mandy Rambo, deputy director (acting) at the Montana Department of Commerce, asked the committee for a due pass so the department has authority to spend up to $100,000 of fundraised dollars for the commission; she emphasized the bill does not provide cash from the state general fund but rather spending authority tied to money that would be raised and deposited in the new account.
Senators raised practical questions about whether the $100,000 cap would be sufficient if the commission raised larger amounts; Representative Jones said the figure was a starting point and could be amended if members prefer. Lighthearted exchanges about fundraising and potential travel occurred, but no formal opposition was registered.
What happens next: the committee closed the hearing; members said they might consider amendments before executive action if fundraising prospects change.
