Additional Bill Links PDF (with line numbers)
HOUSE BILL NO. 14
INTRODUCED BY R. LYNCH
BY REQUEST OF THE OFFICE OF BUDGET AND PROGRAM PLANNING
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT PROVIDING FUNDING AND AUTHORIZATION FOR CAPITAL AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS STATEWIDE; CREATING THE DELIVERING LOCAL ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM; CREATING RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; CREATING THE DELIVERING LOCAL ASSISTANCE ACCOUNT FOR GRANTS AND THE STATE AND LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE ACCOUNT; APPROPRIATING MONEY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS; APPROPRIATING MONEY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION FOR GRANTS UNDER THE RENEWABLE RESOURCE GRANT AND LOAN PROGRAM; APPROPRIATING MONEY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION FOR GRANTS UNDER THE RECLAMATION AND DEVELOPMENT GRANTS PROGRAM; APPROPRIATING MONEY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE FOR AUTHORIZED PROJECTS FROM THE 2019 BIENNIUM DUE TO A FUNDS TRANSFER FROM THE TREASURE STATE ENDOWMENT SPECIAL REVENUE ACCOUNT TO THE GENERAL FUND DURING THE NOVEMBER 2017 SPECIAL SESSION; APPROPRIATING MONEY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THROUGH THE TREASURE STATE ENDOWMENT PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING PROJECT GRANT AMOUNTS; PLACING CONDITIONS UPON GRANTS AND FUNDS; REAUTHORIZING PROJECT GRANTS; APPROPRIATING MONEY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE FOR EMERGENCY AND PLANNING INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS; AUTHORIZING THE CREATION OF STATE DEBT THROUGH THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS; AUTHORIZING TRANSFER TO THE GENERAL FUND; CLARIFYING THAT CERTAIN ACCOUNTS ARE SUBJECT TO LEGISLATIVE FUND TRANSFERS; AMENDING SECTION 90-6-701, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE AND A TERMINATION DATE."
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
NEW SECTION. Section 1. Definitions. For the purposes of [sections 1 through 12], unless otherwise provided, the following definitions apply:
(1) "Capital project" means improvements or the planning, capital construction, environmental cleanup, renovation, or major repair projects authorized in [sections 9 through 12].
(2) "CPA" means the capital projects account provided for in 17-5-803 and 17-5-804.
(3) "Infrastructure projects" means:
(a) drinking water systems;
(b) wastewater treatment;
(c) sanitary sewer or storm sewer systems;
(d) solid waste disposal and separation systems, including site acquisition, preparation, and monitoring;
(e) bridges;
(f) broadband;
(g) facilities for government administration;
(h) public safety infrastructure related to law enforcement, fire protection, or emergency services; or
(i) school district infrastructure projects related to life safety issues.
(4) "Local government" means an incorporated city or town, a county, a consolidated local government, a tribal government, a county or multicounty water, sewer, irrigation, or solid waste district, or an authority as defined in 75-6-304.
NEW SECTION. Section 2. Local infrastructure accounts -- use. (1) There is within the state special revenue fund provided for in 17-2-102 an account called the delivering local assistance account for grants to provide grant funding to local governments for local infrastructure projects. The department of commerce shall administer the account.
(2) There is within the state special revenue fund provided for in 17-2-102 an account called the state and local infrastructure account to provide grants as authorized in [sections 14, 15, 22, and 23]. The department of commerce shall administer the account.
NEW SECTION. Section 3. Delivering local assistance grant program created -- authorization for local infrastructure project grants. (1) The department of commerce is authorized to make up to $44,188,365 in grants to local governments for infrastructure projects. The grants authorized in this section are subject to the conditions set forth in [section 5].
(2) Except as provided in subsection (3), beginning June 1, 2019, the department of commerce must receive proposals from local governments impacted by growth or decline associated with coal, oil, or gas development for community planning and for drinking water, wastewater treatment, or public safety infrastructure projects for an existing or future population.
(3) All rural local governments are eligible for broadband installation infrastructure projects. Rural means the total population of the incorporated city, town, or consolidated local government as reported in the latest decennial federal census is less than 20,000 persons.
(4) Funding for projects may be provided only as long as there are sufficient funds available from the amount that was deposited or transferred into the delivering local assistance account for grants established in [section 2(1)]. Funding for these projects must be made available in the order that the grant recipients satisfy the conditions described in [section 5(1)].
(5) If a grant recipient does not complete all of the conditions described in [section 5(1)] by September 30, 2020, any obligation to the grant recipient is extinguished.
NEW SECTION. Section 4. Eligibility -- submission deadline -- priority -- rulemaking authority. (1) A local government may apply to the department of commerce for local infrastructure grants under [section 3].
(2) For a project that was submitted for approval to the 66th legislature for funding from the treasure state endowment program but did not receive legislative approval for funding from the program, the amount of a grant for the project under [this act] may not exceed the amount of funding recommended for the project as described in the treasure state endowment program 2021 biennium report to the 66th legislature.
(3) All local governments shall submit grant requests and materials to the department by September 30, 2019, in order to be eligible for funding under [section 3].
(4) The department is authorized to adopt rules necessary to implement [this act].
NEW SECTION. Section 5. Condition of grants -- disbursement of funds. (1) The disbursement of grant funds for the projects chosen by the department of commerce pursuant to [section 3] is subject to completion of the following conditions:
(a) The grant recipient shall document that other funds required for completion of the project are firmly committed.
(b) The grant recipient must have a project management plan that is approved by the department.
(c) The grant recipient must be in compliance with the auditing and reporting requirements provided in 2-7-503 and have established a financial accounting system that the department can reasonably ensure conforms to generally accepted accounting principles. Tribal governments shall comply with auditing and reporting requirements provided for in 2 CFR part 200.
(d) The grant recipient shall execute a grant agreement with the department of commerce.
(e) The grant recipient shall satisfactorily comply with any conditions described in the application (project) summaries section of the treasure state endowment program 2021 biennium report to the 66th legislature.
(f) The grant recipient shall satisfy other specific requirements considered necessary by the department of commerce to accomplish the purpose of the project as evidenced by the application to the department.
(2) With the exception of bridges, all projects must adhere to the design standards required by the department of environmental quality. Recipients of grants under [section 3] that are not subject to the department of environmental quality design standards shall adhere to generally accepted industry standards such as Recommended Standards for Wastewater Facilities or Recommended Standards for Water Works, published by the Great Lakes-Upper Mississippi River Board of State and Provincial Public Health and Environmental Managers, latest edition.
(3) When applicable, recipients of grants under [section 3] are subject to the requirements of the department of commerce as described in the most recent edition of the Treasure State Endowment Program Project Administration Manual adopted by the department by administrative rule.
NEW SECTION. Section 6. Disbursement of funds. (1) The department of commerce shall disburse grant funds on a reimbursement basis as grant recipients incur eligible project expenses.
(2) If actual project expenses are lower than the projected expense of the project, the department must reduce the amount of grant funds to be provided to grant recipients.
NEW SECTION. Section 7. Maximum state funding available for infrastructure -- per project -- per county. The maximum amount of state funding under [sections 3 through 7] may not exceed $1 million per project; and the maximum amount of grant funding under [sections 3 through 7] that may be received in a single county may not exceed $2 million.
NEW SECTION. Section 8. Appropriations of grants. There is appropriated to the department of commerce $44,188,365 for the biennium beginning July 1, 2019, from the delivering local assistance account for grants as authorized in [sections 3 through 7].
NEW SECTION. Section 9. Authorization of and appropriations for capital projects. Upon passage and approval of [this act], the following projects, pursuant to 18-2-102, are authorized and approved and funds are appropriated to the department of administration from the indicated funding sources. The department of administration is authorized to transfer funding and authority between fund types. Funds not requiring legislative appropriation are included for the purposes of authorization only:
MONTANA UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
Romney Hall - MSU Bozeman $32 million (CPA)
Green House Laboratories - MAES $2 million (CPA)
New Dental Clinic, Assisting and Hygiene Lab - MSUGF $4.25 million (CPA)
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION
Montana Heritage Center - Helena $32.12 million (CPA)
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Montana State Hospital - Sewer Replacement $4.5 million (CPA)
NEW SECTION. Section 10. Planning and design. The department of administration may proceed with the planning and design of capital projects prior to the receipt of other funding sources. The department may use interentity loans in accordance with 17-2-107 to pay planning and design costs incurred before the receipt of funding from another funding source.
NEW SECTION. Section 11. Capital projects -- contingent funds -- legislative consent. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), if a capital project is financed in whole or in part with appropriations contingent on the receipt of funding from another funding source, the department of administration may not let the project go to bid until the agency receiving funding has submitted a financial plan for approval by the director of the department of administration.
(2) A financial plan may not be approved by the director if:
(a) the level of funding provided under the financial plan deviates substantially from the funding level provided in [section 9] for that project; or
(b) the scope of the project is substantially altered or revised from the preliminary plans presented for that project in the 2021 biennium long-range building program and as presented to the 66th legislature.
(3) The appropriations authorized in [section 9] constitute legislative consent for the capital projects contained in [section 9] within the meaning of 18-2-102.
NEW SECTION. Section 12. Review by department of environmental quality. The department of environmental quality shall review capital projects authorized in [section 9] for potential inclusion in the state building energy conservation program under Title 90, chapter 4, part 6. When a review shows that a capital project will result in energy improvements, the project must be submitted to the energy conservation program for funding consideration. Funding provided under the energy conservation program guidelines must be used to offset or add to the authorized funding for the project, with the amount dependent on the annual utility savings resulting from the facility improvement. Agencies must be notified of potential funding after the review.
NEW SECTION. Section 13. Authorization of bonds -- conditions. (1) The board of examiners is authorized to issue and sell general obligation bonds in one or more series and from time to time for the purposes described in subsection (3) in addition to the amount of general obligation bonds outstanding on January 1, 2019.
(2) The bonds under this section must be issued in accordance with the terms and in the manner required by Title 17, chapter 5, part 8. The authority granted to the board of examiners by this section is in addition to any other authorization to the board of examiners to issue and sell general obligation bonds.
(3) On [the effective date of this act], the board of examiners is authorized to issue and sell general obligation bonds and deposit the proceeds as follows:
(a) $74,870,000 of the proceeds from the bonds sold under this section must be deposited in the capital projects account provided for in 17-5-803 and 17-5-804; and
(b) $44,188,365 of the proceeds from the bonds sold under this section must be deposited in the delivering local assistance account for grants provided for in [section 2(1)].
(c) $40,941,635 of the proceeds from the bonds sold under this section must be deposited in the state and local infrastructure account provided for in [section 2(2)].
NEW SECTION. Section 14. Appropriation for 2019 biennium unfunded authorized treasure state endowment program continuation grants. (1) There is appropriated to the department of commerce $7,471,390 for the biennium beginning July 1, 2019, from the state and local infrastructure account established in [section 2(2)] to finance treasure state endowment program grants authorized by subsection (2).
(2) The following applicants and projects are authorized for grants:
Infrastructure Applicant (project type) Grant Amount
1. Stanford, Town of (water) $211,362
2. Hot Springs, Town of (water) $478,632
3. Sheridan, Town of (water) $625,000
4. Simms County Sewer District (wastewater) $750,000
5. Circle, Town of (water) $625,000
6. Lockwood Water and Sewer District (water) $625,000
7. Harlowton, City of (water) $750,000
8. Cascade, Town of (wastewater) $500,000
9. Shelby, City of (water) $750,000
10. Dutton, Town of (water) $500,000
11. Butte-Silver Bow (wastewater) $349,286
12. Lewis and Clark County (bridge) $309,985
13. Judith Basin County (bridge) $247,125
14. Powell County (bridge) $750,000
(3) Funding for projects listed in subsection (2) will be provided up to the amount of the appropriation in subsection (1) as projects meet the conditions provided in [section 17(1)].
(4) If sufficient funds are available, this section constitutes a valid obligation of funds to the grant recipients listed in subsection (2) for the purpose of encumbering the state and local infrastructure account funds for the biennium beginning July 1, 2019, pursuant to 17-7-302. However, a grant recipient's entitlement to receive funds is dependent on the grant recipient's compliance with conditions described in [section 17(1)] and on the availability of funds. Any projects listed in subsection (2) that have not completed the conditions described in [section 17(1)] by September 30, 2020, must be reviewed by the next regular session of the legislature to determine if the authorized grant should be withdrawn.
(5) The funds appropriated in this section must be used by the department of commerce to make grants to the local governments listed in subsection (2) for the described purposes and in amounts not to exceed the amounts set out in subsection (2). The grants authorized in this section are subject to the conditions set forth in [section 17(1)] and described in the treasure state endowment program 2021 biennium report to the 66th legislature. The department of commerce must commit funds to projects listed in subsection (2), up to the amounts authorized, based on the manner of and subject to the limitations on disbursement set forth in [section 17]. If the funds in the state and local infrastructure account are insufficient to fund all projects authorized [in this act], the projects in [section 14(2)] must be funded before any projects listed in [section 15(2) and 15(5)].
(6) The department of commerce will disburse grant funds on a reimbursement basis as grant recipients incur eligible project expenses. Eligible project expenses include eligible project expenses incurred beginning on May 8, 2017.
(7) Grant recipients listed under subsection (2) may use local dollars or other non-treasure state endowment program funds expended during the biennium beginning July 1, 2017 as matching funds for their project authorized in subsection (2) in addition to currently acceptable forms of match.
(8) Grant recipients must complete all of the conditions described in [section 17(1)] by September 30, 2022, or any obligation to the grant recipient is void.
NEW SECTION. Section 15. Appropriation for treasure state endowment program grants. (1) There is appropriated to the department of commerce $22,285,929 for the biennium beginning July 1, 2019, from the state and local infrastructure account established in [section 2(2)] to finance treasure state endowment program grants authorized by subsection (2).
(2) The following applicants and projects are authorized for grants and listed in the order of their priority:
Infrastructure Applicant (project type) Grant Amount
1. Libby, City of (water) $750,000
2. Clancy Water & Sewer District (water) $750,000
3. Wibaux, Town of (wastewater) $750,000
4. Lockwood Water & Sewer District (water) $500,000
5. Geraldine, Town of (wastewater) $500,000
6. Dodson, Town of (wastewater) $362,150
7. Hysham, Town of (wastewater) $375,000
8. Wilsall Water District (water) $500,000
9. Whitehall, Town of (water) $625,000
10. Power - Teton County Water & Sewer District (water) $625,000
11. Plains, Town of (wastewater) $500,000
12. Broadview, Town of (water) $500,000
13. Thompson Falls, City of (wastewater) $750,000
14. Coram County Water & Sewer District (water) $500,000
15. Chinook, City of (water) $500,000
16. Cut Bank, City of (water) $750,000
17. Roundup, City of (water) $750,000
18. Darby, Town of (wastewater) $500,000
19. Scobey, City of (water) $500,000
20. Circle, Town of (water) $500,000
21. Seeley Lake Sewer District (wastewater) $750,000
22. Polson, City of (wastewater) $750,000
23. Black Eagle-Cascade County Water & Sewer District (water & wastewater) $645,000
24. Hardin, City of (wastewater) $625,000
25. Harlowton, City of (wastewater) $625,000
26. Dillon, City of (water) $500,000
27. Bigfork County Water & Sewer District (wastewater) $500,000
28. Vaughn Cascade County Water & Sewer District (water) $625,000
29. East Helena, City of (water) $500,000
30. Whitefish, City of (wastewater) $625,000
31. Red Lodge, City of (storm water) $500,000
32. Cascade, Town of (water) $500,000
33. Plentywood, City of (wastewater) $750,000
34. Sun Prairie Village County Water & Sewer District (wastewater) $500,000
35. North Havre County Water District (water) $430,000
36. Conrad, City of (water) $398,779
37. Sun Prairie County Water District (water) $275,000
38. Winnett, Town of (wastewater) $500,000
39. Baker, City of (water) $600,000
40. White Sulphur Springs, City of (water) $200,000
(3) Funding for the projects numbered 1 through 40 in subsection (2) will be provided up to the amount of the appropriation in subsection (1) as projects meet the conditions provided in [section 17(1)].
(4) There is appropriated to the department of commerce $4,962,316 for the biennium beginning July 1, 2019, from the state and local infrastructure account established in [section 2(2)] to finance treasure state endowment program grants authorized by subsection (5) as projects meet the conditions provided in [section 17(1)].
(5) The following applicants and projects are authorized for grants and listed in the order of their priority:
Bridge Applicant Grant Amount
1. Musselshell County $589,138
2. Lewis & Clark County $558,806
3. Beaverhead County $500,000
4. Custer County $357,819
5. Madison County $591,768
6. Chouteau County $279,753
7. Fergus County $262,839
8. Sweet Grass County $591,976
9. Jefferson County $207,903
10. Big Horn County $272,314
11. Gallatin County $750,000
(6) If sufficient funds are available, this section constitutes a valid obligation of funds to the grant recipients listed in subsections (2) and (5) for purposes of encumbering state and local infrastructure account funds for the biennium beginning July 1, 2019, pursuant to 17-7-302. However, a grant recipient's entitlement to receive funds is dependent on the grant recipient's compliance with the conditions described in [section 17(1)] and on the availability of funds.
(7) Funding for projects in subsections (2) and (5) will be provided only as long as there are sufficient funds available from the amount that was deposited into the state and local infrastructure account during the biennium beginning July 1, 2019. Funding for these projects will be made available in the order that the grant recipients satisfy the conditions described in [section 17(1)]. However, any of the projects listed in subsections (2) and (5) that have not completed the conditions described in [section 17(1)] by September 30, 2020, must be reviewed by the next regular session of the legislature to determine if the authorized grant should be withdrawn.
(8) The funds appropriated in this section must be used by the department to make grants to the governmental entities listed in subsections (2) and (5) for the described purposes and in amounts not to exceed the amounts set out in subsections (2) and (5). The grants authorized in this section are subject to the conditions set forth in [section 17(1)] and described in the treasure state endowment program 2021 biennium report to the 66th legislature. The legislature, pursuant to 90-6-710, authorizes the grants for the projects listed in subsections (2) and (5). The department shall commit funds to projects listed in subsections (2) and (5), up to the amounts authorized, based on the manner of disbursement set forth in [section 17] until the funds deposited into the state and local infrastructure account during the biennium beginning July 1, 2019, are expended.
(9) Grant recipients shall complete all of the conditions described in [section 17(1)] by September 30, 2022, or any obligation to the grant recipient will cease.
NEW SECTION. Section 16. Approval of grants -- completion of biennial appropriation. (1) The legislature, pursuant to 90-6-701, authorizes grants for the projects identified in [section 14(2)], the projects identified in [sections 15(2) and 15(5)], the emergency infrastructure grants in [section 19], and for the infrastructure planning grants in [section 20].
(2) The authorization of these grants completes a biennial appropriation from the state and local infrastructure account established in [section 2(2)].
(3) Grants to entities from prior biennia are reauthorized for completion of contract work.
NEW SECTION. Section 17. Condition of grants -- disbursements of funds. (1) The disbursement of grant funds for the projects specified in [sections 14(2), 15(2) and 15(5)] is subject to completion of the following conditions:
(a) The grant recipient shall document that other matching funds required for completion of the project are firmly committed.
(b) The grant recipient must have a project management plan that is approved by the department of commerce.
(c) The grant recipient must be in compliance with the auditing and reporting requirements provided for in 2-7-503 and have established a financial accounting system that the department can reasonably ensure conforms to generally accepted accounting principles. Tribal governments shall comply with auditing and reporting requirements provided for in 2 CFR part 200.
(d) The grant recipient shall satisfactorily comply with any conditions described in the application (project) summaries section of the treasure state endowment program 2021 biennium report to the 66th legislature.
(e) The grant recipient shall satisfy other specific requirements considered necessary by the department of commerce to accomplish the purpose of the project as evidenced by the application to the department.
(f) The grant recipient shall execute a grant agreement with the department of commerce.
(2) With the exception of bridges, all projects must adhere to the design standards required by the department of environmental quality. Recipients of treasure state endowment program funds that are not subject to the department of environmental quality design standards must adhere to generally accepted industry standards, such as Recommended Standards for Wastewater Facilities or Recommended Standards for Water Works, published by the Great Lakes-Upper Mississippi River Board of State and Provincial Public Health and Environmental Managers, latest edition.
(3) Recipients of treasure state endowment program funds are subject to the requirements of the department of commerce as described in the most recent edition of the Treasure State Endowment Program Project Administration Manual adopted by the department through the administrative rulemaking process.
NEW SECTION. Section 18. Other powers and duties of department. (1) The department of commerce shall disburse grant funds on a reimbursement basis as grant recipients incur eligible project expenses.
(2) If actual project expenses are lower than the projected expense of the project, the department may, at its discretion:
(a) reduce the amount of grant funds to be provided to grant recipients in proportion to all other project funding sources;
(b) authorize the amount of grant funds to be provided so that the grant recipient's projected average residential user rates do not become lower than their target rate as determined by the department; or
(c) reduce the amount of grant funds to be provided so that the grant recipient's projected average residential user rates do not become lower than their target rate as determined by the department.
(3) If the grant recipient obtains a greater amount of grant funds than was contained in the treasure state endowment program application, the department may reduce the amount of the treasure state endowment program grant funds to be provided to ensure that the grant recipient continues to meet the threshold requirements contained in program guidelines for receiving the larger treasure state endowment program grant.
NEW SECTION. Section 19. Appropriation from treasure state endowment special revenue account for emergency grants. There is appropriated to the department of commerce $100,000 for the biennium beginning July 1, 2019, from the treasure state endowment special revenue account for the purpose of providing local governments, as defined in 90-6-701, with emergency grants for infrastructure projects, as defined in 90-6-701.
NEW SECTION. Section 20. Appropriation from treasure state endowment special revenue account for infrastructure planning grants. There is appropriated to the department of commerce $900,000 for the biennium beginning July 1, 2019, from the treasure state endowment special revenue account for the purpose of providing local governments, as defined in 90-6-701, with infrastructure planning grants for infrastructure projects as defined in 90-6-701.
NEW SECTION. Section 21. Appropriation from treasure state endowment special revenue account for administrative expenses. There is appropriated to the department of commerce $200,000 for the biennium beginning July 1, 2019, from the treasure state endowment special revenue account for administrative expenses.
NEW SECTION. Section 22. Appropriations for renewable resource grants. (1) There is appropriated from the state and local infrastructure account established in [section 2(2)] to the department of natural resources and conservation up to $4,975,000 for grants to political subdivisions and local governments on the biennium beginning July 1, 2019. The funds referred to in this subsection must be awarded by the department to the named entities for the described purposes and in the grant amounts listed in subsection (3), subject to the conditions set forth in [sections 24 and 25] and the contingencies described in the renewable resource grant and loan program January 2019 report to the 66th legislature.
(2) Funds must be awarded up to the amounts approved in subsection (3) in the following listed order of priority until available funds are expended. Funds not accepted or used by higher-ranked projects must be provided for projects farther down the priority list that would not otherwise receive funding. If at any time a grant sponsor determines that a project will not begin before June 30, 2021, the sponsor shall notify the department of natural resources and conservation. After all eligible projects are funded, remaining funds may be used for any renewable resource project authorized under this section.
(3) The following are the prioritized grant projects:
RENEWABLE RESOURCE GRANT AND LOAN PROGRAM
Applicant/Project Amount
Buffalo Rapids Irrigation Project District 1
(Buffalo Rapids Irrigation Project 1 - Lateral 1.7 Pipeline Conversion) $125,000
Hardin, City of
(Hardin Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements) $125,000
Dillon, City of
(Dillon Water Transmission and Distribution Main Replacement) $125,000
Helena Valley Irrigation District
(Helena Valley Irrigation District Lateral 14.8 Headgate Rehabilitation, Phase 2) $125,000
Polson, City of
(Polson Wastewater System Improvement, Phase 2) $125,000
Carbon County Conservation District
(Golden Ditch Company Clark Fork Diversion Rehabilitation) $125,000
Savage Irrigation District
(Savage Irrigation District Infrastructure Rehabilitation) $125,000
Petroleum County Conservation District
(Horse Creek Coulee Water Storage) $125,000
Wibaux, Town of
(Wibaux Wastewater Treatment System Improvements) $125,000
Alberton, Town of
(Alberton Water System Improvements) $125,000
Geraldine, Town of
(Geraldine Wastewater System Improvements) $125,000
Missoula, City of
(Caras Park Outfall Storm Water Treatment Retrofit, Phase 2) $125,000
Black Eagle-Cascade County Water & Sewer District
(Black Eagle-Cascade County Water & Sewer
District Water & Sewer System Improvements) $125,000
East Helena, City of
(East Helena Water System Improvements) $125,000
Plentywood, City of
(Plentywood Wastewater Collection Improvement, Phase 2) $125,000
Missoula County
(Lewis & Clark Subdivision Wastewater Improvements) $125,000
Wilsall Water District
(Wilsall Water District Water System Improvements) $125,000
Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project
(Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project Crane
Wasteway & Pump Station Rehabilitation) $125,000
Missoula County Conservation District
(Grass Valley French Ditch Clark Fork Diversion Rehabilitation) $125,000
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology
(Reducing Mobilization of Oil-Brine Salt to Streams) $125,000
Winifred, Town of
(Winifred Water System Improvements) $125,000
Hysham, Town of
(Hysham Wastewater System Rehabilitation, Phase 1) $125,000
Vaughn Cascade County Water and Sewer District
(Vaughn Cascade County Water and Sewer District Water Improvements) $125,000
Stillwater Conservation District
(Yanzick/Brey, Riddle Ditch Irrigation System Improvements, Phase 2) $125,000
Lockwood Water and Sewer District
(Lockwood WSD Drinking Water System Improvements) $125,000
Circle, Town of
(Circle Water System Improvements) $125,000
Yellowstone County DES
(Billings Bench Water Users Association Main Canal Rehabilitation, Phase 1) $125,000
Hysham Irrigation District
(Re-Lift Canal Improvement) $125,000
Clyde Park, Town of
(Clyde Park Water System Improvements) $125,000
Libby, City of
(Libby Water System Improvements) $125,000
Chinook, City of
(Chinook Water System Improvements) $125,000
Cut Bank, City of
(Cut Bank Water System Improvements) $125,000
North Havre County Water District
(North Havre County Water District Water System Improvements) $125,000
Plains, Town of
(Plains Wastewater System Protection) $125,000
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology
(Measuring Groundwater Recharge in Flood to Pivot Irrigation Conversions) $125,000
Cascade, Town of
(Cascade Water System Improvements) $125,000
Fallon County
(Baker Lake Restoration) $100,000
Pondera County Conservation District
(Kingsbury Turnout Automation) $125,000
Tin Cup County Water and Sewer District
(Tin Cup County Water and Sewer District Water Conservation) $125,000
Clancy Water and Sewer District
(Clancy Water and Sewer District Water Improvements) $125,000
NEW SECTION. Section 23. Appropriations for reclamation and development grants. (1) The amount of $1,247,000 is appropriated to the department of natural resources and conservation from the state and local infrastructure account established in [section 2(2)] for grants to political subdivisions and local governments during the biennium ending June 30, 2021. The funds in this subsection must be awarded by the department to the named entities for the described purposes and in the grant amounts set out in subsection (3) subject to the conditions set forth in [sections 24 and 25] and the contingencies described in the reclamation and development grant program January 2019 report to the 66th legislature.
(2) Funds must be awarded up to the amounts approved in this section in the order of priority listed in subsection (3) until available funds are expended. Funds not accepted or used by higher-ranked projects must be provided for projects farther down the priority list that would not otherwise receive funding. After all eligible projects are funded, remaining funds may be used for any reclamation and development project authorized under this section
(3) The following are the prioritized grant projects:
Applicant/Project Amount
Montana Department of Environmental Quality
(Cottonwood #2 Acid Mine Drainage Diversion Project) $300,000
Deer Lodge, City of
(Milwaukee Roundhouse CECRA Site Passenger Refueling Area VCRA Program
Remediation) $297,000
Montana Department of Environmental Quality
(Basin Creek Mine - Phase 2 Site Stability Project) $300,000
Ryegate, Town of
(Former Ryegate Conoco Groundwater Remediation) $50,000
Montana Department of Environmental Quality
(Upper Blackfoot Mining Complex Water Treatment Plant Bridge and Infrastructure
Protection) $300,000
NEW SECTION. Section 24. Coordination of fund sources for grants to political subdivisions and local governments. A project sponsor listed under [section 23] may not receive funds from both the reclamation and development grants program and the renewable resource grant and loan program for the same project during the same biennium.
NEW SECTION. Section 25. Condition of grants. Disbursement of funds under [sections 22 and 23] is subject to the following conditions that must be met by the project sponsor:
(1) A scope of work and budget for the project must be approved by the department of natural resources and conservation. Any changes in scope of work or budget subsequent to legislative approval may not change project goals and objectives. Changes in activities that would reduce the public or natural resource benefits as presented in department of natural resources and conservation reports and applicant testimony to the 66th legislature may result in a proportional reduction in the grant amount.
(2) The project sponsor shall show satisfactory completion of conditions described in the recommendation section of the project narrative of the program report to the legislature for the biennium ending June 30, 2021, or, in the case of planning grants issued under [sections 22 and 23], completion of conditions specified at the time of written notification of approved grant authority.
(3) The project sponsor must have a fully executed grant agreement with the department.
(4) Any other specific requirements considered necessary by the department must be met to accomplish the purpose of the grant as evidenced from the application to the department or from the proposal as presented to the legislature.
NEW SECTION. Section 26. Other appropriations. There is appropriated to any entity of state government that receives a grant under [sections 22 and 23] the amount of the grant upon award of the grant by the department of natural resources and conservation. Grants to entities from prior biennia are reauthorized for completion of contract work.
NEW SECTION. Section 27. Approval of grants -- completion of biennial appropriation. The legislature, pursuant to 90-2-1111, approves the reclamation and development grants listed in [section 23]. The legislature, pursuant to 85-1-605, approves the renewable resource program grants listed in [section 22]. The authorization of these grants completes a biennial appropriation from the state and local infrastructure account established in [section 2(2)].
NEW SECTION. Section 28. Fund transfer. On or before June 30, 2021, the state treasurer shall transfer to the general fund up to $17.332 million of interest earnings from the treasure state endowment special revenue account established in 17-5-703(3)(a).
Section 29. Section 90-6-701, MCA, is amended to read:
"90-6-701. Treasure state endowment program created -- definitions. (1) (a) There is a treasure state endowment program that consists of:
(i) the treasure state endowment fund established in 17-5-703;
(ii) the infrastructure portion of the coal severance tax bond program provided for in 17-5-701(2).
(b) The treasure state endowment program may borrow from the board of investments to provide additional financial assistance for local government infrastructure projects under this part, provided that no part of the loan may be made from retirement funds.
(2) Interest Subject to legislative fund transfer, interest from the treasure state endowment fund and from proceeds of the sale of bonds under 17-5-701(2) may be used to provide financial assistance for local government infrastructure projects under this part, to provide funding to the department of commerce for the administrative costs of the treasure state endowment program and the delivering local assistance grant program, and to repay loans from the board of investments.
(3) As used in this part, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Infrastructure projects" means:
(i) drinking water systems;
(ii) wastewater treatment;
(iii) sanitary sewer or storm sewer systems;
(iv) solid waste disposal and separation systems, including site acquisition, preparation, or monitoring; or
(v) bridges.
(b) "Local government" means an incorporated city or town, a county, a consolidated local government, a tribal government, a county or multicounty water, sewer, or solid waste district, or an authority as defined in 75-6-304.
(c) "Treasure state endowment fund" means the coal severance tax infrastructure endowment fund established in 17-5-703(1)(b).
(d) "Treasure state endowment program" means the local government infrastructure investment program established in subsection (1).
(e) "Tribal government" means a federally recognized Indian tribe within the state of Montana."
NEW SECTION. Section 30. Notification to tribal governments. The secretary of state shall send a copy of [this act] to each tribal government located on the seven Montana reservations and to the Little Shell Chippewa tribe.
NEW SECTION. Section 31. Severability. If a part of [this act] is invalid, all valid parts that are severable from the invalid part remain in effect. If a part of [this act] is invalid in one or more of its applications, the part remains in effect in all valid applications that are severable from the invalid applications.
NEW SECTION. Section 32. Creation of state debt -- two-thirds vote required. Because [section 13] authorizes the creation of state debt, Article VIII, section 8, of the Montana constitution requires a vote of two-thirds of the members of each house of the legislature for passage.
NEW SECTION. Section 33. Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.
NEW SECTION. Section 34. Termination. [Section 29] terminates June 30, 2021.
- END -
Latest Version of HB 14 (HB0014.01)
Processed for the Web on December 15, 2018 (1:30pm)
New language in a bill appears underlined, deleted material appears stricken.
Sponsor names are handwritten on introduced bills, hence do not appear on the bill until it is reprinted.
See the status of this bill for the bill's primary sponsor.
Status of this Bill | 2019 Legislature | Leg. Branch Home
All versions of this bill (PDF format)
Authorized print version of this bill w/line numbers (PDF format)
[ NEW SEARCH ]
Prepared by Montana Legislative Services
(406) 444-3064