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Montana House Supports Bill Altering Federal Emergency Aid Spending

A pre-COVID view of the Montana House of Representatives.
Montana Public Radio
A pre-COVID view of the Montana House of Representatives.

The Montana House Wednesday offered its support to a bill that would give lawmakers more say over how federal emergency aid is spent in between legislative sessions.

Republican Rep. Llew Jones said during a House debate that lawmakers have ceded too much appropriations power to the governor’s office during declared emergencies.

As an example, Jones cited federal CARES Act coronavirus relief that former Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock allocated during the Legislature’s interim period last year.

“Certainly on a $1.25 billion spend we maybe should’ve weighed in,” Jones says.

The Legislature has power over the state purse while in session.

House Bill 159 would require a legislative committee to poll lawmakers during an interim period on whether to accept a governor’s plan to spend federal emergency grants exceeding five percent of the state general fund, which was $108 million last year.

Jones said the coronavirus pandemic is the only emergency that would’ve required legislative spending approval under House Bill 159 over the last 30 years.

The proposal passed its second House reading by a 91 to 9 vote. It’s expected to pass third reading Thursday, after which it would move to the Senate.