HELENA — The American Rescue Plan Act passed by Congress gives the state of Montana billions of federal dollars. Most of that money will have specific places it needs to go, but the Legislature has control over about $1 billion.
After a whirlwind of hearings, the bill that allocates that money is now on its way to be debated by the full House of Representatives after passing out of the House Appropriations Committee 16-8 on Monday.
Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, chairs that panel and said he was thankful for his committee’s restraint.
“Irrespective of disagreements, we all behaved with grace and I very much appreciate that,” Jones said.
The bill establishes several oversight committees and provides granular detail about what money goes where. For instance, more than $600 million will go to water and wastewater projects.
The bill must pass out of the House of Representatives before May 8, otherwise the money will go to other states.
However, lawmakers are still waiting for full federal guidance about how to spend the money.
James Bradley is a reporter with the UM Legislative News Service, a partnership of the University of Montana School of Journalism, the Montana Broadcasters Association, the Montana Newspaper Association and the Greater Montana Foundation.
