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Bill

HB 901

Create a fire department health and safety grant program

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Gist

Montana bill establishing state grant program to fund fire department health, safety equipment, and mental health resources for volunteer and paid departments statewide.

(H) Veto Override Failed in Legislature
#revenue #state #rulemaking #appropriations #emergencyservices
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Bill Summary · HB 901

Legislative bill overview

HB 901 establishes a fire department health and safety grant program in Montana, designed to provide funding to volunteer and paid fire departments for equipment, training, and initiatives that improve firefighter safety and health outcomes. The program would distribute grants to support protective gear, mental health resources, cancer prevention measures, and other health-related needs specific to the fire service.

Why is this important

Firefighters face elevated risks of occupational cancers, PTSD, and other health conditions that can be financially devastating to individuals and departments. Grant programs help resource-constrained volunteer departments—which serve most of rural Montana—access preventive equipment and training they might otherwise cannot afford, potentially reducing long-term public health costs and improving recruitment/retention in critical emergency services.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding source: The bill requires identifying or allocating state funds for grants; fiscal conservatives may question whether this is the state's responsibility versus federal grants or private fundraising
  • Program administration: Questions about how grants would be distributed fairly, what accountability measures ensure funds are used effectively, and whether administrative overhead is justified
  • Scope creep: Determining which health/safety initiatives qualify could be contentious; mental health and cancer prevention programs may face philosophical opposition from some legislators regarding their necessity or appropriateness for state funding

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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