House bill NO. 472

INTRODUCED BY T. Brockman, B. Mitchell, B. Keenan, M. Hopkins, J. Fuller, K. Regier, M. Noland, T. Falk, J. Fitzpatrick, C. Sprunger, T. Smith, N. Duram

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SAFE, public SIDEWALKS; PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION; and PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

NEW SECTION. Section 1. Appropriation. (1) There is appropriated $1 million from the general fund to the department of transportation for the biennium beginning July 1, 2023, to administer a grant for the construction of public sidewalks in northwest Montana for pedestrians and to ensure safe routes to school for children.

(2)        The grant funds must be distributed to Flathead County, as requested by the county.

(3)        (a) Grant funds must be used to construct new public sidewalks along U.S. highway 2, from the intersection of Meadowlark drive and U.S. highway 2 to the intersection of Reserve drive and U.S. highway 2.

(b)        Use of the grant funds may include but is not limited to use as required matching funds to secure other local, state, or federal grants related to the construction of public sidewalks.

(4)        The appropriation is authorized to continue through the biennium beginning July 1, 2025.

(5)        Any unencumbered funds must revert to the general fund on June 30, 2027.

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2023.