Bill would create one-time $5 million pool grant program to help repair and build community pools

Representative Paul Tuss introduced House Bill 313, proposing a one-time $5 million general fund appropriation to the Montana Department of Commerce to create grants for construction and rehabilitation of community swimming pools. Grants would be limited to $500,000 per project and no more than two projects per county could receive awards.

“The crux of this proposal is born from a simple fact. There simply does not exist a funding source at either the state or federal level that communities can turn to to help fund the construction and rehabilitation of swimming pools,” Tuss said, arguing pools serve important roles from swim lessons to senior exercise programs.

Proponents who testified said pools play a critical role in public safety, youth development and local recreation. Jennifer Olson, government affairs director for the Montana League of Cities and Towns, said municipalities lack dedicated funding to maintain pool infrastructure and supported the proposal. Dan Brooks of the Billings Chamber of Commerce told the committee Billings faces an $8 million to $15 million decision on renovating the 100‑year‑old South Park Pool and that a $500,000 grant could reduce scope and preserve service to a disadvantaged neighborhood.

Billings City Council member Kendra Shaw said Billings has the state’s oldest outdoor pool — “It’s 110 years old” — and described a parks and recreation program that runs weekly summer lessons, trains lifeguards and serves more than 700 children annually. Local residents and parents said access and affordability are barriers in some neighborhoods and that public pools fill childcare and community needs not met elsewhere.

Under the bill, any project with grant funds over $25,000 would require local matching funds equivalent to $1 for every $5 of grant funds requested; Representative Lee confirmed the first $25,000 would be exempt from the match. Sponsor Tuss said the Department of Commerce would need to determine in its administrative guidance how exactly matches would be applied and that the committee would need to address whether formal rule‑making is required.

Mandy Rambo, deputy director at the Montana Department of Commerce, told the committee Commerce had not drafted guidelines specific to this program and that typical Commerce grants include reporting, invoices, photos and formal contractual terms spelling out permitted uses of funds.

The fiscal note discussed in testimony estimated the proposal could fund 49 grants statewide with the $5 million appropriation. Committee members asked whether tribes would be eligible; Tuss said the bill as written likely does not include tribes but he was willing to amend the bill to add tribes or another definition if the committee desired.

The committee closed the public hearing on HB313 after sponsor closing remarks. No committee vote was recorded on the bill during this hearing.