HB 313: Establish a grant program for aquatic recreational facilities - Montana

HB0313_4(5).pdf → HB0313_5.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from HB 313.4 to HB 313.5. The most significant policy change is the addition of a requirement for matching funds, where recipients must provide one dollar of private funding for every dollar of state grant money received. Additionally, the text regarding the use of funds for operational costs was modified to clarify that grants are strictly limited to specific operational expenses like staffing, utilities, and insurance for the first five years of a pool's operation.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed regarding operational funding; grants can now only be used for specific operational costs within the first five years of a pool's operation, rather than broadly for operational costs.

FISCAL

Added a mandatory one-to-one matching fund requirement, requiring recipients to contribute private dollars for every state dollar received.

Restricted the use of grant funds for operational costs to a maximum of one year within the first five years of the pool's operation.

TECHNICAL

The bill number was updated from HB 313.4 to HB 313.5.

HB0313_3(12).pdf → HB0313_4.pdf · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from HB 313.3 to HB 313.4 and expanded its scope to include funding for operational costs like staffing, utilities, and insurance, not just construction and repairs. This change allows grants to cover up to one year of operating expenses for the first five years a pool is open. The bill also clarifies that operational funding is strictly limited to these specific costs and requires matching funds for larger grants.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from covering only capital projects (construction, maintenance, equipment) to also include operational costs for public swimming pools.

SCOPE

Added 'operational costs' to the list of eligible expenses, expanding the program beyond just building and fixing pools.

REQUIREMENT

Added a specific limit stating that grant money for operational costs can only be used for staffing, utilities, and insurance for up to one year within the first five years of operation.

Reordered and clarified the conditions for receiving grants, ensuring the department receives proposals before funding is disbursed.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill number from HB 313.3 to HB 313.4 and adjusted the title to reflect the new inclusion of operational costs.

HB0313_3(3).pdf → HB0313_3(4).pdf · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reorganized to create a new public swimming pool infrastructure grant program. It authorizes up to $5 million in funding for nonprofits and local governments to acquire, construct, or repair public swimming pools. The program includes specific eligibility requirements, such as a matching fund ratio for larger grants, and sets strict limits on how much funding any single project or county can receive.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a new authorization for public swimming pool infrastructure grants, whereas the previous version contained different administrative and funding provisions.

FISCAL

Authorized up to $5 million in grants for public swimming pool infrastructure projects.

ELIGIBILITY

Established eligibility for nonprofit organizations and local governments to apply for grants.

REQUIREMENT

Required recipients of grants over $25,000 to document matching funds or in-kind contributions at a ratio of at least $1 for every $5 of the grant.

Set a maximum grant amount of $500,000 per project and a maximum of $1 million per county.

TIMELINE

Mandated a transfer of $5 million from the general fund to the new infrastructure account by July 15, 2025.

SCOPE

Replaced previous administrative cost provisions with a new section authorizing the department of commerce to adopt guidelines for the grant program.

HB0313_2(10).pdf → HB0313_3.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill number was updated from HB 313.2 to HB 313.3 to reflect its new legislative version. The core text of the bill remains substantively unchanged, with only minor formatting adjustments and the addition of a specific funding source name in the transfer section.

Scope change

No change in the bill's scope or applicability.

TECHNICAL

The bill number was changed from HB 313.2 to HB 313.3.

Minor formatting changes were made to the text layout and line breaks.

FISCAL

The specific name of the funding source for the transfer was clarified to include 'CAPITAL DEVELOPMENTS LONG-RANGE BUILDING PROGRAM ACCOUNT PROVIDED FOR IN 17-7-209'.

HB0313_1(7).pdf → HB0313_2.pdf · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill adds 'TRIBAL GOVERNMENT' to the list of eligible entities for public swimming pool infrastructure funding, expanding the program's reach to include tribal entities alongside counties, cities, and other local governments. This change ensures tribal governments can access state funds for pool infrastructure projects on an equal footing with other local jurisdictions.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include tribal governments as eligible recipients of public swimming pool infrastructure funding.

ELIGIBILITY

Added 'TRIBAL GOVERNMENT' to the definition of 'local government' in Section 1, making tribal governments eligible for the public swimming pool infrastructure account funds.

LC1551.pdf → HB0313_1.pdf · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was formally renamed from a committee bill (LC 1551) to House Bill 313 and had its sponsor list updated to reflect the official legislative sponsors. The substantive policy text regarding the grant program for public swimming pools remained unchanged, preserving the $5 million funding cap, the $500,000 per-project limit, and the eligibility criteria for nonprofit organizations and local governments.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; it continues to fund capital projects for public swimming pools operated by nonprofits and local governments.

TECHNICAL

The bill title was updated from 'LC 1551' to 'HB 313', and the list of sponsors was added to replace the placeholder text.

Page headers were updated to reflect the new bill number (HB 313) and the authorized print version status.

Establish a grant program for aquatic recreational facilities

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