Committee debates $500,000-per-project swimming-pool grant program; action postponed to allow sponsor review of amendments

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 a November 2023 underground power-line failure that produced a high-voltage surge, destroyed boilers and equipment, forced a 90-day closure, and led the YMCA to absorb over $30,000 despite an insurer payment of $114,000. "If another major fail occurs without insurance, our board will have no choice but to close our pool," Callison said, urging support for HB313. Dan Brooks of the Billings Chamber of Commerce told the committee Billings' South Park pool could require between $8 million and $15 million in renovations, and he welcomed the bill's matching requirements and grant cap.

Committee members asked detailed eligibility questions. One senator flagged language that excludes pools located on private property, including "owner occupied condominium developments;" Representative Tuss said that language came from the legislative council and the intent was to make clear the program is for public pools and nonprofits, not private pools. Senators also asked whether park-and-recreation districts would be eligible; Tuss said such districts would be considered public and likely eligible under the bill's "other district" language.

During executive action Senator Trevis offered an amendment (HB313.003) to broaden the definition of eligible nonprofits beyond 501(c)(3) organizations to include several other 501(c) categories (examples cited: civic leagues/social welfare organizations, social and recreational clubs, fraternal beneficiary societies, domestic fraternal societies and veterans organizations) to allow pools associated with those groups to apply. Trevis described the amendment as a "cafeteria" of independent options so individual changes would not conflict with each other.

Committee members debated whether the sponsor had been consulted about those amendments; Trevis said the changes were his ideas and that he would consult the sponsor. The vice chair withdrew the motion to concur, senators agreed to hold off action until Monday, and the amendment and motion were withdrawn for the sponsor to review.

Representative Tuss also said the bill was amended in the House to change the funding source to the Long Range Building Program account and to assign administration of the program to the Department of Commerce without separate administrative funding. Mandy Rambo, deputy director at the Department of Commerce, identified Commerce's Community MT division as the unit that would run the program if enacted and offered to respond to technical questions.

The committee did not take a final vote on HB313; executive action was postponed until Monday so sponsors and members can review proposed amendments and allow the sponsor to be consulted. The hearing record contains proponent testimony from nonprofit and municipal representatives and a discussion of eligibility, matching requirements, and administrative logistics.