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MontanaHB 769th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Reclamation and development grants

Sponsored By: John Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Became Law

AppropriationsEnvironmental ProtectionState Finance

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

New planning and water storage grants

Beginning July 1, 2025, the law funds planning for reclamation and development projects. It provides up to $1.5 million, including a $750,000 planning set‑aside. It also provides up to $5.3 million for pilot water storage planning and projects. DNRC awards these grants during the 2025–2027 biennium.

Ranked grants for local cleanup projects

Beginning July 1, 2025, DNRC gets up to $7.11 million, including $5.52 million from the state special revenue account, for local reclamation and development grants. The law lists 17 ranked projects with set amounts, such as Powell County ($495,123) and Lewis and Clark County ($479,085). DNRC must award in rank order until money runs out. If a top project declines funds, money moves to lower‑ranked projects, and leftover funds can support other authorized RD projects. Grants become the recipient’s property when awarded, prior‑biennium grants are reauthorized, and the legislature approves these as a biennial appropriation.

Tribal governments get official notice

Beginning July 1, 2025, the Secretary of State sends this act to every federally recognized tribal government in Montana.

Paperwork and match rules for grants

Beginning July 1, 2025, DNRC pays grants only after key steps are done. Recipients need an approved scope, schedule, and budget; a firm match; and an approved project plan. They must follow audit and reporting rules and keep GAAP‑based accounts; tribes follow 2 CFR 200. They must send proof the conditions are met, sign a DNRC grant agreement, and meet any added DNRC requirements.

No double-dipping and backup funding

Beginning July 1, 2025, a project cannot get money from both this program and the renewable resource grant and loan program in the same biennium. If another enacted law also funds RDGP projects from a different source, listed projects that did not get funded here can receive money from that law in the order they complete required conditions. If House Bill 6 is enacted and the $1.5 million (including the $750,000 set‑aside) for planning is not fully used by the end of the biennium, projects eligible under HB 6 section 1(1)(b) may apply here for planning grants.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • John Fitzpatrick

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 463 • No: 27

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 91 • No: 8

House vote • 4/16/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 86 • No: 12

House vote • 4/14/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 0

House vote • 4/12/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 3/1/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 93 • No: 4

House vote • 2/28/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 95 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/16/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/12/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/5/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/2/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/1/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/22/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/18/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate

    4/17/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred

    4/16/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/14/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/14/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading Concurred

    4/12/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/1/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/1/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    3/20/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Committee

    3/4/2025Senate

  17. First Reading

    3/3/2025Senate

  18. 3rd Reading Passed

    3/1/2025House

  19. 2nd Reading Passed

    2/28/2025House

  20. Committee Report--Bill Passed as Amended

    2/25/2025House

  21. Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended

    2/24/2025House

  22. Hearing

    2/18/2025House

  23. Hearing

    1/21/2025House

  24. First Reading

    1/6/2025House

  25. Referred to Committee

    12/20/2024House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/22/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    4/1/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    2/25/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    12/11/2024

    PDF

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