Senate endorses access to $20 million in rural development funds to rebuild Monticello hospital

Senator David P. Hinkins presented Senate Bill 162, a Rural Development Act amendment to allow a rural healthcare special service district to access funds from the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity to help repair or replace a 75-year-old hospital in Monticello. Hinkins said the fund would provide a mix of loan and partial grant resources, describing it as "a $20,000,000 opportunity to for a loan as well as partial grant." The sponsor said the change would broaden eligible applicants so entities beyond cities and towns could use the program to secure rural healthcare facilities.

After a brief period for questions, the Senate called a roll and passed SB162 unanimously. The president announced SB162 "having received 29 yay votes, 0 nay votes, 0 being absent," and the bill was sent to the House for further consideration.

Supporters framed the bill as part of an effort to preserve rural hospital infrastructure and expand local access to health services; no recorded opposition appeared in the transcript. The bill will proceed to the House for the next legislative steps recorded in the communication from the Senate.