HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Senate on March 21 concurred in House Bill 182, a one-time $5 million grant program intended to fund capital construction, maintenance, repairs and equipment purchases for senior citizen centers across the state.

Senator Novak, carrying the bill on the Senate floor, described it as “a grant program that helps to fund construction, remodeling, and repairs, and equipment purchases for Montana senior citizen centers.” Novak said the bill requests a $5 million appropriation from one-time general fund surplus, that the Department of Commerce would administer the program, and that the maximum grant would be $250,000.

Novak said the program is competitive, is not ongoing, and is intended to help centers that otherwise must “beg” locally for small capital projects. “This is a small effort to look after that population and the folks that serve them in our senior centers around the state,” Novak said.

During floor discussion, Senator Denley Logie said he recused himself from carrying the bill because he has ties to multiple senior centers and described how the centers provide meals and meeting places and often lack funds for repairs. A committee member raised concerns about the fiscal note, noting the department’s estimate that it would cost $732,000 to administer the $5 million in grants — a relatively high administrative proportion.

Novak responded that eligible senior centers would be able to apply, and the program is designed as a dollar-for-dollar match. Supporters on the floor urged passage, describing small local centers with aging kitchens and facilities that could benefit from targeted funding.

The Senate vote on the motion to concur was 30 in favor and 20 opposed. The clerk recorded: "With 30 senators voting aye and 20 voting no, House Bill 182 has passed second reading." The bill was then rereferred per Senate procedure for financing and claims as part of the legislative process for appropriation bills.

Discussion vs. decision

Discussion: The debate emphasized program design (competitive grants, dollar-for-dollar match), eligibility questions (whether a facility must be solely a senior center or could be multi-use), conflict-of-interest disclosures by members with ties to centers, and the fiscal note’s administrative-cost estimate.

Direction/assignment: The Department of Commerce would administer the competitive grant program under the bill’s terms; the bill requests a one-time $5 million appropriation.

Formal action: The Senate concurred on the bill’s recommendation and recorded the roll-call vote.

Ending

Supporters framed HB182 as targeted assistance for small community centers; critics asked for clearer eligibility rules and tighter fiscal controls. The bill’s requested appropriation and administrative costs will be handled through subsequent appropriations and committee work.