A New Day for Old Places
Montana Lawmakers Vote Yes for Preservation
Many thanks to all of Montana’s state representatives who voted YES to allocate $4 million of federal stimulus funds for historic preservation projects! The session will go down in memory as one where a record number of MPA supporters stepped forward with thoughtful testimony and lawmakers listened and responded with positive votes to save our most treasured heritage places. We are lucky to have so many lawmakers who know the importance of keeping Montana history and culture alive. To our knowledge, Montana is one the only state in the country to have allocated federal stimulus funds for preservation grants!
HB 645 Federal Reinvestment & Recovery Act Stimulus Dollars
Passage of HB 645 represents a milestone in funding for historic preservation in Montana. The bill includes an historic $4 million pool of funds for historic preservation projects, the most that our legislature has ever appropriated for this purpose. Three line items in the bill have set aside funds for specific projects, including $50,000 for the Daly Mansion, $40,000 for the St. Mary’s Mission, and $180,000 for Traveler’s Rest historic site.
Special thanks to Representative Cindy Hiner who worked hard for all $4 Million and sponsored the amendment to set aside this funding, along with stalwart preservation supporters Representatives Jon Sesso, Dan Villa, Galen Hollenbaugh, Bill McChesney, Dave Kasten and Ray Hawk, and Senators Ryan Zinke, Dave Lewis, Rick Laible, Greg Barkus, John Esp, Bob Hawks, Carol Williams, and Mike Cooney for their unswerving support.
The funds will be granted to qualified applicants through the Department of Commerce. MPA will post information on our website as more information about applying for funds becomes available.
SB 204 Centennial Farm and Ranch Program
Co-sponsored by our great friends Senators Lynda Moss and Donald Steinbeisser, SB 204 enjoyed broad support on both sides of the aisle. We thank both the Senate and House Agriculture committees and Rep Julie French, who stood in favor of this bill. MPA was joined by the Montana Farmer’s Union and Montana Stockgrowers along with the Montana Historical Society (MHS) in promoting the bill which was signed into law on April 27.
The bill creates a program to celebrate traditional agriculture and honor Montana families on century farms and ranches. Designated farms and ranches would be those owned and operated by generations of Montana families for at least 100 years. The program, administered through the MHS, will acknowledge the strength and determination of these families to stay on the land and their efforts to preserve Montana’s agricultural heritage.
HJ 32 Joint Resolution requesting Historic Preservation Study Bill
This bill creates an interim committee to study sustainable revenue for state preservation programs and grants, and ways to improve state support and stewardship of historic properties. Many thanks to bill sponsor Representative Bob Ebinger whose skilled diplomacy kept this moving late in the session, and to co-sponsors Representatives Diane Sands and Anders Blewett, and Senators Lynda Moss. Instrumental support came from Senator Ron Erickson, Senator Bob Hawks and Rep Brady Wiseman, along with members of House Taxation and Senate Local Government committees for giving this a very strong favorable vote.
Failed in committee
HB 631 Revise Credit for Preservation of Historic Buildings
This bill, sponsored by Rep. Anders Blewett would have raised the state preservation tax credit – currently 25% of the federal investment tax credit for rehabilitation of historic income-producing buildings – to an amount equal to the federal tax credit. This would have made the combined credits equal to 40% of the rehab costs. It would also make them transferable. Rep Blewett’s efforts were exceptional, and the bill passed the House with a strong majority, however, it was tabled by the Senate Taxation committee and never brought back. On the House side, we especially thank Representatives Jon Sesso, Art Noonan, Edie McClafferty, Bob Lake and Ed Butcher, and on the Senate side, Senators Kim Gillam, Ron Erickson, Christine Kaufman and Brad Hamlett, for their efforts on behalf of this bill. MPA will continue in future sessions to support this worthy legislation aimed at encouraging downtown preservation and economic development.
