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Committee debates $500,000-per-project swimming-pool grant program; action postponed to allow sponsor review of amendments
Summary
House Bill 313 would create a one-time Department of Commerce grant program (grants up to $500,000, two projects per county, local match rules) to repair or build community swimming pools; the committee heard strong proponent testimony, debated eligibility language and a proposed expansion of eligible nonprofit categories, and postponed executive action until Monday to consult the sponsor.
House Bill 313, introduced by Representative Paul Tuss, would establish a one-time program at the Montana Department of Commerce to award grants (no more than $500,000 per project) for construction or rehabilitation of community swimming pools. Representative Tuss said grants would be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with no more than two successful projects per county and a local match requirement for projects over $25,000 of $1 local match for every $5 of grant funds.
"Grant dollars of no more than $500,000 per project will be allocated on a first come first served basis and no more than 2 projects per county could be successful," Tuss said, explaining the bill was prompted by a lack of state or federal funding to help communities repair aging pool infrastructure.
Proponents described local impacts. Ashley Callison, COO of the Helena Family YMCA, said the Helena pool serves more than 500 children annually; she described…
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