Daines Announces Over $36 Million in PILT Funds for Critical Services in Montana’s Small and Rural Counties

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Department of the Interior will be directing $36.2 million in Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) to Montana’s small and rural counties.

“I’m glad to see this funding going to Montana communities where it will be put to good use,” Daines said. “The PILT program helps provide essential services in Montana’s rural counties, and I will continue to support this critical program.”

The federal government directs PILT funds to local governments to offset the loss of property taxes from federally owned lands in that county. Montana’s small and rural counties use PILT funds to pay for vital county public services, including school construction, roads, law enforcement, fire departments and emergency services. 

For more information on the funding, click HERE.

Background: 

In 2019, Daines championed his bipartisan bill, the “Small County Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Parity Act,” which would bring parity to the PILT program, and ensure smaller populated counties receive more resources to strengthen local law enforcement, fire departments, schools, roads, search and rescue, and more.

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Contact: Katherine McKeoghKatie Schoettler