All Roll Calls
Yes: 485 • No: 7
MontanaHB 1169th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET
Providing grants and appropriations through the Montana coal endowment program
Sponsored By: John Fitzpatrick (Republican)
Became Law
AppropriationsWater
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Local water and bridge grants
Beginning July 1, 2025, the law funds local water, sewer, and bridge work. It provides about $20.29 million for water and wastewater projects and $3.54 million for bridge projects. Money is released in priority order and only while the coal endowment account has enough deposits. Towns and districts must show matching funds, have an approved project plan, follow audit and accounting rules (tribes follow 2 CFR 200), and meet design standards for non-bridge projects. The Department of Commerce pays by reimbursement after eligible costs are incurred. It can cut a grant if costs run lower, if other grant money is added, or to keep average residential user rates at its target. Projects not meeting conditions by September 1, 2026 face legislative review; all obligations end if conditions aren’t met by September 30, 2028.
Emergency and planning grants for towns
Beginning July 1, 2025, the law provides small grant pools to help local projects. It sets aside $150,000 for emergency infrastructure grants and $1.5 million for planning grants. Local governments can use these funds to plan and respond to urgent infrastructure needs.
State funding for regional water systems
Beginning July 1, 2025, the state provides $10 million for its share of regional water system projects. Funds go to the four regional water authorities, only while the regional water account has enough deposits. Authorities must sign an agreement with DNRC, have an approved project plan, use GAAP accounting, and submit a detailed preliminary engineering report. DNRC pays by reimbursement as eligible costs are incurred.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
John Fitzpatrick
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/28/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 99 • No: 1
House vote • 4/25/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 98 • No: 2
House vote • 4/23/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 47 • No: 3
House vote • 4/22/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 47 • No: 1
House vote • 3/18/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 98 • No: 0
House vote • 3/17/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 96 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/19/2025HouseSigned by Governor
5/13/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
5/7/2025HouseSigned by President
5/6/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
5/2/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
4/29/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
4/28/2025House3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate
4/28/2025House2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred
4/25/2025HouseReturned to House with Amendments
4/23/2025Senate3rd Reading Concurred
4/23/2025Senate2nd Reading Concurred
4/22/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended
4/17/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended
4/16/2025SenateHearing
3/24/2025SenateReferred to Committee
3/20/2025SenateFirst Reading
3/19/2025SenateTransmitted to Senate
3/18/2025House3rd Reading Passed
3/18/2025House2nd Reading Passed
3/17/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Printed
3/4/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Signed
3/4/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Received
3/4/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Passed as Amended
3/1/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Requested
3/1/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/28/2025
As Amended (Version 3)
4/17/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
3/1/2025
Introduced
12/11/2024