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Lawmakers hear $5 million one-time competitive grant proposal for senior centers (House Bill 182)
Summary
Representative Fitzpatrick asked the committee to consider House Bill 182, a one-time $5 million program to fund competitive grants for senior centers requiring a 1:1 cash match and administered by the Department of Commerce; Commerce staff answered fiscal questions about administration and accounting.
Representative John Fitzpatrick introduced House Bill 182 as a one‑time, $5,000,000 appropriation to establish a competitive grant program administered by the Department of Commerce to allow senior citizen centers to remodel, make repairs, or purchase new equipment. The sponsor said the program requires a 1:1 cash match, is intended to be user-friendly, and is not a continuing appropriation.
Mandy Rambo (deputy director and acting director, Montana Department of Commerce) said Commerce would house the program within its Community MT division and is available to answer fiscal and operational questions. Senators asked about the fiscal note, state special revenue accounting, and administrative FTE assumptions; Rambo and the sponsor clarified that the appropriation would originate from the general fund and be placed into a state special revenue account for administration and grant awards.
Representative Fitzpatrick said he would close and submit the bill for further committee consideration; there were no witnesses in opposition or formal motions during the hearing.
