House Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to revise the Montana local disaster resiliency fund by increasing the statutory appropriation from $4 million to up to $15 million per year, starting in the fiscal year 2025. The bill eliminates the termination date of the fund, which was previously set to expire on June 30, 2025, and instead establishes a continuous appropriation for the fund. Additionally, the bill amends the eligible uses of the fund to include state and local mitigation projects aimed at reducing long-term risks from natural disasters, as well as funding for personnel and contracted resources for mitigation program management.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the transfer of $50 million from the general fund to the local disaster resiliency fund by June 30, 2025, and an additional $50 million during the biennium ending June 30, 2027. This transfer is intended to bolster the fund's capacity to support disaster resilience initiatives. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 17-7-502
HB0034_1(1): 17-7-133
HB0034_1(2): 17-7-133
HB0034_1(3): 17-7-133
HB0034_1(4): 17-7-133
HB0034_1(5): 17-7-133
HB0034_1: 17-7-133