Senate Bill 315 would add preventive uses to the Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Fund and change a board meeting requirement from mandatory to discretionary, sponsors told the House Natural Resources Committee.

The bill, introduced in the hearing by a senator identified in the record as Senator John S., would not increase the size of the fund but expand what the fund may reimburse, and changes a statutory “shall” to a “may” for a board meeting requirement on page 2, line 25 of the draft language.

Why it matters: Supporters said prevention is cheaper and more effective than cleanup. Brad Longcake of the Montana Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association told the committee the proposal grew from interim work with stakeholders and would let owners use modest, periodic reimbursements for inspections and other preventive steps. Amy Steinmetz, DEQ’s Waste Management and Remediation Administrator, testified: “Preventing new releases is much cheaper and much more environmentally effective at protecting the environment than cleaning up petroleum releases after they occur.”

What the bill would do: The draft lists specific allowable preventive measures (lines a–g on page 1 of the bill text). Longcake said the bill includes reimbursement up to $2,000 per facility on a roughly three‑year cycle to help ensure tank owners keep required inspections up to date; the committee record shows proponents described the $2,000 figure as tied to three‑year inspection cycles.

Committee process and questions: The committee did not pose substantive questions during the hearing. The record shows no opponents and one informational witness representing the cleanup fund board available for questions.

Outcome and next steps: The committee moved SB 315 forward in executive action. The vice chair moved that SB 315 “do concur,” and a voice vote carried the bill to the floor; several members recorded aye by proxy in the committee record. The committee named Representative Edwards to carry SB 315 on the House floor.

Background and limits: The bill does not add money to the Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Fund; it changes allowable uses and a meeting requirement. The bill text, as presented, lists the preventive activities that would qualify; the hearing record shows proponents described the measure as intended to reduce the likelihood of catastrophic releases by funding small, routine prevention measures.