_____________ bill NO. _____________
INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________
By Request of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Office of Budget and Program Planning
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RENEWABLE RESOURCE GRANT AND LOAN PROGRAM; APPROPRIATING MONEY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION FOR GRANTS UNDER THE RENEWABLE RESOURCE GRANT AND LOAN PROGRAM; PRIORITIZING PROJECT GRANTS AND AMOUNTS; ESTABLISHING CONDITIONS FOR GRANTS; providing for coordination of funding; and PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
NEW SECTION. Section 1. Appropriations for renewable resource grants. (1) For the biennium beginning July 1, 2023, there is appropriated to the department of natural resources and conservation from the natural resources projects state special revenue account established in 15-38-302 up to:
(a) $300,000 for emergency projects grants to be awarded by the department over the biennium;
(b) $3,500,000 for planning grants to be awarded by the department over the biennium;
(c) $500,000 for irrigation development grants to be awarded by the department over the biennium;
(d) $500,000 for watershed grants to be awarded by the department over the biennium;
(e) $100,000 for private grants to be awarded by the department over the biennium; and
(f) $2,500,000 for nonpoint source pollution reduction grants to be awarded by the department over the biennium.
(2) The amount of $6,250,000 is appropriated to the department of natural resources and conservation from the natural resources projects state special revenue account established in 15-38-302 for the biennium beginning July 1, 2023. 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 (4), subject to the conditions set forth in [sections 2 and 3] and the contingencies described in the renewable resource grant and loan program January 2023 report to the 68th legislature titled: "Governor's Executive Budget Fiscal Years 2023-2025 Volume 6".
(3) Funds must be awarded up to the amounts approved in subsection (4) 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, 2025, 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.
(4) The following are the prioritized infrastructure grant projects:
RENEWABLE RESOURCE INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT PROJECTS
Applicant/Project Amount
Cooke City
Cooke City Wastewater Treatment and Collection System $125,000
West Yellowstone, Town of
West Yellowstone Wastewater Treatment Plant Project $125,000
Red Lodge, City of
Red Lodge Wastewater System Improvements $125,000
Superior, Town of
Superior Wastewater System Improvements Project $125,000
Choteau, City of
Choteau Water System Improvements $125,000
Cascade, Town of
Cascade Wastewater System Improvements $125,000
Sand Coulee, Town of
Sand Coulee Wastewater Improvements $125,000
Kalispell, City of
Kalispell Morning Star Court Water and Wastewater Improvement Project $125,000
Saco, Town of
Saco Wastewater System Improvements $125,000
Drummond, Town of
Drummond Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade $125,000
Craig County WSD
Craig Wastewater System Improvements $125,000
Gallatin Canyon County Water Sewer District
Gallatin Canyon County Water Sewer District Gallatin Canyon Sewer Project Phase 1.2 $125,000
Thompson Falls, City of
Thompson Falls Water System Improvements Project $125,000
Corvallis County Sewer District
Corvallis Wastewater Collection System Improvements $125,000
Helena, City of
Helena Red Mountain Flume Repairs Project #22-05 $125,000
Havre, City of
Havre Water System Improvements Project $125,000
Bigfork County Water and Sewer District
Bigfork County Water and Sewer District West Trunk Sewer Replacement and Collection Basin Rehabilitation Project $125,000
Belt, Town of
Belt Water System Improvements $125,000
Lincoln County
Lincoln County Libby Creek Community Water and Wastewater Improvements $125,000
Richey, Town of
Richey Water Main Replacement Phase 2 $125,000
Geraldine, Town of
Geraldine Water System Improvements $125,000
Victor Water and Sewer District
Victor Wastewater Collection and Treatment Improvements Project $125,000
Forsyth, City of
Forsyth Water System Improvements $125,000
Townsend, Town of
Townsend Water System Improvements Project $125,000
Martinsdale Water and Sewer District
Martinsdale Water and Sewer District Water System Improvements $125,000
Twin Bridges, Town of
Twin Bridges Water System Improvements $125,000
Dodson, Town of
Dodson Water System Improvements $125,000
Sunburst, Town of
Sunburst Wastewater Distribution and Treatment Project $125,000
Philipsburg, Town of
Water Main Replacement Alley between Broadway and Stockton (Duffy-Sansome)$125,000
Missoula, City of
Missoula Comprehensive Stormwater Plan $125,000
Denton, Town of
Denton Wastewater System Upgrades Phase 1 $125,000
Dutton, Town of
Dutton Water System Improvements $125,000
Circle, Town of
Circle Waterline Replacement Project Phase 4 $125,000
Clancy Water and Sewer District
Clancy Water and Sewer District Water System Improvements $125,000
Basin County Water and/or Sewer District
Basin Water System Improvements Project $125,000
Wolf Point, City of
Wolf Point Wastewater Project Phase 1 $125,000
Hideaway Community County Water & Sewer District
Hideaway Court Community Sewer Project (HCCWSD) $125,000
Chester, Town of
Chester Wastewater Improvements Project $125,000
Troy, City of
Troy Water System Improvements Project $125,000
Lockwood Water and Sewer District
Lockwood Water and Sewer District Mid Zone Reservoir $125,000
Hot Springs, Town of
Hot Springs Sewer Lagoon Rehabilitation Project $125,000
Hingham, Town of
Hingham Wastewater System Improvements Project $125,000
Chester, Town of
Chester Water System Improvements Project $125,000
Shelby, City of
Shelby Wastewater Improvements Project $125,000
Conrad, City of
Conrad Storm Water Project $125,000
Absarokee Water and Sewer District
Absarokee Water and Sewer District Water System Improvements $125,000
North Cut Bank Glacier County Water and Sewer District
North Cut Bank Glacier County Wastewater Lift Station Improvements $125,000
Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch County Water and Sewer District
Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch County WSD Wastewater System Improvements $125,000
Judith Gap, Town of
Judith Gap Wastewater Water Line and Meter Upgrade Project $125,000
Boulder, City of
Boulder Drinking Water System Improvements $125,000
(5) The amount of $2,500,000 is appropriated to the department of natural resources and conservation from the natural resources projects state special revenue account established in 15-38-302 for the biennium beginning July 1, 2023. 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 (7), subject to the conditions set forth in [sections 2 and 3] and the contingencies described in the renewable resource grant and loan program January 2023 report to the 68th legislature titled: "Governor's Executive Budget Fiscal Years 2023-2025 Volume 6".
(6) Funds must be awarded up to the amounts approved in subsection (7) 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, 2025, 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.
(7) The following are the prioritized irrigation grant projects:
RENEWABLE RESOURCE IRRIGATION GRANT PROJECTS
Applicant/Project Amount
Greenfields Irrigation District
Greenfields Irrigation District Pishkun Inlet Hydroelectric Project $125,000
Lower Yellowstone Irrigation District #1
Lower Yellowstone Irrigation District #1 Thomas Point Pumping Plant Rehabilitation $125,000
Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project
Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project Critical Structures Rehabilitation Project $125,000
Helena Valley Irrigation District
Helena Valley Irrigation District Regulating Reservoir Preservation & Bypass Project $125,000
Buffalo Rapids Irrigation Project 2
Shirley Main Canal Rehabilitation Phase 2 $125,000
Pondera County Conservation District
Pondera County Conservation District Birch Creek Diversion Automation Project $125,000
Madison County
Madison County Big Hole River Restoration Design and Permitting $125,000
Ruby Valley Conservation District
Ruby Valley CD Upper Jefferson Channel Restoration Project $125,000
Newlan Creek Water District
Newlan Creek Water District Newlan Creek Dam Safety Improvements $125,000
Savage Irrigation District
Savage Irrigation District Pump Station Rehabilitation $125,000
Pondera County Conservation District
Pondera County Conservation District PCCRC C-Canal Headworks Automation $125,000
East Bench Irrigation District
East Bench Irrigation District Carter Creek Lining & Headgate Automation $125,000
Buffalo Rapids Irrigation Project 1
Eiker Reach Canal Rehabilitation Project $125,000
Hill County
Hill County Beaver Creek Dam Tailwater Channel Restoration $125,000
Granite Conservation District
Granite Conservation District - Allendale Ditch Rehabilitation $125,000
Blaine County
Blaine County NCIA North Chinook Reservoir Dam Outlet Rehabilitation Project $125,000
Paradise Valley Irrigation District
Paradise Valley Irrigation District Hillside Ditch Pipeline Conversion Phase 2 $125,000
Huntley Project Irrigation District
Highline Discharge Pipeline Rehabilitation $125,000
Tin Cup Water and Sewer District
Tin Cup and Mill Ditch Improvements $125,000
Billings, City of
Rim Tunnel Rehabilitation Project $125,000
NEW SECTION. Section 2. Coordination of fund sources for grants to political subdivisions and local governments. A project sponsor listed under [section 1(4) or section 1(7)] 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 3. Condition of grants. Disbursement of funds under [section 1] is subject to the following conditions that must be met by the project sponsor:
(1) A scope of work, schedule, and budget for the project must be approved by the department of natural resources and conservation. Any changes in scope of work or budget after 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 68th 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, 2025, or, in the case of planning grants issued under [section 1(1)(b)], 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 4. Appropriations established. There is appropriated to any entity of state government that receives a grant under [section 1] the amount of the grant upon award of the grant by the department of natural resources and conservation. Grants to entities from prior bienniums are reauthorized for completion of contract work.
NEW SECTION. Section 5. Approval of grants -- completion of biennial appropriation. The legislature, pursuant to 85-1-605, approves the renewable resource programs grants listed in [section 1]. The authorization of these grants constitutes a biennial appropriation from the natural resources projects state special revenue account established in 15-38-302.
NEW SECTION. Section 6. Notification to tribal governments. The secretary of state shall send a copy of [this act] to each federally recognized tribal government in Montana.
Coordination SECTION. Section 7. Coordination instruction. (1) If both [this act] and an act that provides additional funding for renewable resource grant and loan program grants from a source other than the natural resources projects state special revenue account established in 15-38-302 are passed and approved, the projects listed in [section 1(4) and section 1(7) of this act] that do not receive funding from the appropriations in [section 1(2) and section 1(5) of this act] may receive funding from the appropriation in the other act designated for renewable resource grant and loan program grants in the order of completion of the conditions of [section 3 of this act] and to the extent that there is appropriation authority available.
(2) Appropriations made in [section 1(1)(a) through (1)(f) may be adjusted within [section 1(1)(a) through (1)(f)] within the biennium based on demand or emergencies.
NEW SECTION. Section 8. 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 9. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2023.
Latest Version of LC 6
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