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Bill

Bill

LC 1394

Create a Montana infrastructure bank

2025 Regular Session

Died in process: Bill would have created a state infrastructure bank to finance Montana projects through loans and grants, but failed to advance through the legislative drafting stage.

(LC) Draft Died in Process
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Bill Summary · LC 1394

Legislative bill overview

LC 1394 proposes establishing a Montana infrastructure bank—a financial institution designed to provide loans, grants, or other financing mechanisms for infrastructure projects across the state. The bill would create a new entity to mobilize capital for transportation, water, broadband, and other critical infrastructure needs.

Why is this important

Infrastructure banks can accelerate project development by reducing financing costs and streamlining access to capital for local governments and projects that might struggle to secure traditional funding. This could particularly benefit rural Montana communities with limited bonding capacity or smaller municipalities that face high borrowing costs.

Potential points of contention

  • State funding mechanism: Unclear how the bank would be capitalized and whether it requires general fund appropriations, bonding authority, or other revenue sources that could face budget constraints or voter approval requirements
  • Project selection criteria: Determining which projects qualify for financing could create geographic disparities or political disputes between urban and rural areas, or between transportation and broadband priorities
  • Loan performance risk: If projects underperform or fail to generate expected revenues, the state could face losses; unclear whether loan losses would be borne by taxpayers or if the bank would operate on a self-sustaining basis

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

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