BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

 

In the matter of the adoption of NEW RULE I pertaining to the administration of the Regional Assistance Program

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ADOPTION

 TO: All Concerned Persons

 

1. On February 29, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., the Department of Commerce (department) will hold a public hearing via zoom to consider the proposed adoption of the above-stated rule.

 

            Video: https://mt-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UbBFXRpFTv2VVEvY4FvN8w

 

2. The department will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this process or need an alternative accessible format of this notice.  If you require accommodation, please contact the department by 5:00 p.m. on February 27, 2024, to advise us of the nature of the accommodation you are requesting.  Please contact the Department of Commerce, 301 South Park Avenue, P.O. Box 200501, Helena, Montana, 59620-0501; telephone (406) 841-2596; fax (406) 841-2771; TDD (406) 841-2702; or e-mail [email protected].

 

3. The proposed new rule is as follows:

 

NEW RULE I  INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF RULES GOVERNING THE GUIDELINES FOR THE REGIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

(1)  The department adopts and incorporates by reference Guidelines for the Regional Assistance Program (Program or RAP), with the most current version being posted on the Tourism Grant Program website (Guidelines), as rules governing how the department will administer the Program.  

(2)  The Guidelines address the following:  

(a)  Summary;

(b)  Definitions;

(c)  Eligible Applicants; 

(d)  Eligible Projects; 

(e)  Funding Availability; 

(f)  How to Apply; 

(g)  Application Review Process;

(h)  Application Review Criteria;

(i)  Award Process and Contract; and

(j)  Program Contact.

(3)  Copies of the Guidelines may be obtained from the department's Destination MT Division, Office of Tourism, 301 South Park Avenue, P.O. Box 200501, Helena, Montana, 59620-0501, or on its web site at https://brand.mt.gov/Programs/Office-Of-Tourism/Tourism-Grant-Program.   

  

AUTH: 90-1-122, MCA

IMP: 90-1-122, MCA

 

REASON: The proposed new rule is necessary to implement and administer the Regional Assistance Program in accordance with SB 540, which was enacted by the 2023 Montana Legislature.

 

Section 1 of SB 540 authorizes the department to provide funding to eligible applicants to support Montana tourism.  

 

The department proposes adopting NEW RULE I, which incorporates by reference the Guidelines.  The proposed Guidelines can be reviewed on the department's web site at https://brand.mt.gov/Programs/Office-Of-Tourism/Tourism-Grant-Program.  Interested persons may comment on the Guidelines in accordance with this notice.

 

Adopting the Guidelines is necessary to provide public notice on how the department plans to administer the Regional Assistance Program in compliance with SB 540.

 

4. Concerned persons may present their data, views, or arguments either orally or in writing at the hearing. Written data, views, or arguments may also be submitted to:  Department of Commerce, Legal Department, 301 South Park Avenue, P.O. Box 200501, Helena, Montana 59620-0533; telephone (406) 841-2596; fax (406) 841-2871; TDD (406) 841-2702; or e-mail [email protected], and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., March 8, 2024.

 

5. The department's Office of Legal Affairs will preside over and conduct this hearing.

 

6. The department maintains a list of interested persons who wish to receive notices of rulemaking actions proposed by this agency. Persons who wish to have their name added to the list shall make a written request that includes the name, e-mail, and mailing address of the person to receive notices and specifies for which program the person wishes to receive notices. Notices will be sent by e-mail unless a mailing preference is noted in the request. Written requests may be mailed or delivered to the contact person in paragraph 4 or may be made by completing a request form at any rules hearing held by the department.

 

7. The bill sponsor contact requirements of 2-4-302, MCA, apply and have been fulfilled.  The primary bill sponsor of SB 540, Representative Daniel Zolnikov, was contacted on January 30, 2024, by e-mail at [email protected].

 

8. With regard to the requirements of 2-4-111, MCA, the department has determined that adopting the above-referenced rule will not significantly and directly impact small businesses.

 

 

/s/ John Semmens                                                   /s/ Mandy Rambo

JOHN SEMMENS                                                    MANDY RAMBO

Rule Reviewer                                                          Deputy Director

                                                                                  Department of Commerce

                                                                                   

           

Certified to the Secretary of State January 30, 2024.