Committee discusses emergency communications funding and PILT; staff asked to research PILT distribution options

Committee members raised emergency communications funding as a priority after hearing testimony that the statewide public‑safety radio system faces maintenance funding shortfalls and that many local 9‑1‑1 dispatch centers are operating aging equipment.

Representative Clacken and Vice Chair Griffith urged the committee to consider two parallel steps: (1) preserve and inflation‑adjust the current maintenance appropriation (roughly $3.75M) so the network does not degrade, and (2) study a larger capital appropriation (a figure discussed informally was in the $40M range) to support modernization and expansion. Representative Clacken also flagged 9‑1‑1 dispatch funding problems and the long‑unchanged per‑line surcharge that supports dispatch centers.

Ethan Bergen of the Legislative Fiscal Division briefed the committee on federal Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT). Bergen explained the federal formulas for PILT (a higher per‑acre formula that subtracts federal revenue‑sharing receipts and a lower flat per‑acre formula; the higher resulting amount is paid) and showed FY2025 PILT totals by county (Montana received about $46.6M statewide in FY2025). Several members asked whether Montana counties can be required to share PILT with municipalities or to prioritize PILT for emergency services; staff noted the federal program pays counties or, in a few states, the state, and agreed to research whether Montana could lawfully place state‑level restrictions or conditionality on PILT receipt/use.

Next steps: staff will prepare options for (a) an inflation‑adjusted maintenance appropriation (and a separate capital proposal), (b) a legal review of PILT distribution authorities and whether state statute can constrain county use, and (c) an inventory of dispatch equipment needs to calibrate a potential capital request.