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Committee hears $5 million proposal to fund local firefighter training facilities
Summary
House Bill 511 would create a firefighter training infrastructure account and transfer $5 million from the general fund to a new state special revenue fund to award grants for training facilities and equipment; proponents said the grants would raise training capacity statewide, while agencies described how grants would be administered if approved.
Representative Scott DeMouris presented House Bill 511 to create a firefighter training infrastructure account within the Department of Military Affairs and to transfer $5 million from the general fund to that new state special revenue fund. The sponsor described the measure as a time-limited, one-time funding stream (appropriated through 2029) to support property acquisition, construction and equipment for local training facilities.
Under the bill text discussed in committee, individual project awards would not exceed $250,000 and the total award to a single county would not exceed $500,000. Grants of $25,000 or more could require a 1% local match (cash or donated services) at the department’s discretion. The sponsor told lawmakers the grants would support both volunteer and career departments and could reduce insurance costs in some cases by improving ISO ratings.
Supporters included the Montana State Firefighters Association, the Montana League of Cities and Towns, municipal fire departments and a statewide coalition of fire chiefs and trustees. Rich Cowger (a fire chief who testified online) and local chiefs said many rural departments lack training facilities and that modest grants could fund cost-effective structures or training props.
Department of Military Affairs witnesses (Deputy Director Brig. Gen. Renee Dorval and CFO Janae Grotbo) said DES would house program administration and that they expect to develop application guidance and grant rules after appropriation; they confirmed the bill envisions a transfer from the general fund and expects to manage the program within existing administrative capacity.
Committee members probed grant prioritization criteria, whether the funds would support a single central regional center or distributed local facilities, and how the program would influence ISO ratings and insurance premiums. The sponsor said the intent was to spread funds across the state and prioritize community needs.
The hearing closed without a committee vote; proponents asked for a do-pass recommendation and agency staff promised to provide additional fiscal-note and rule-drafting detail if the bill advances.
