Committee Supports Nearly $80M in Infrastructure Bonding

A legislative committee is supporting a plan to borrow nearly $80 million to pay for state building projects and maintenance, along with local infrastructure.

The House Appropriations Committee passed the State and Local Infrastructure Act 17-5 Wednesday. It now goes to the House.

The bill includes $25 million to remodel Montana State University's Romney Hall and calls for the university to raise the remaining $7 million needed to update the building and add 15 classrooms.

It includes $5 million for deferred maintenance and money for a dental hygiene lab at Great Falls College. Additional money would go to greenhouses at four agricultural research labs, replacing Montana State Hospital's sewer system and to other water, wastewater and bridge projects.

Republican Rep. Mike Hopkins says his bill is part of an overall legislative effort to more consistently fund infrastructure projects.