Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panel hears proposal to let Heritage Commission negotiate 99‑year leases to fund historic preservation
Summary
House Bill 680 would let the Montana Heritage Commission enter long‑term (99‑year) leases with private businesses so private capital can address deferred maintenance at historic properties; proponents said it would preserve assets without using state dollars, while members asked about oversight, preservation guardrails and risks from construction liens.
Representative Ken Walsh (R‑House District 69) introduced House Bill 680 to allow the Montana Heritage Commission—administratively attached to the Department of Commerce—to execute up to 99‑year leases with private lessees who would invest private capital to rehabilitate, maintain and operate historic properties such as those in Virginia City, Nevada City and Reader’s Alley.
Deputy Director Mandy Rambo (Department of Commerce) told the committee the Montana Heritage Commission’s annual budget authority is “a little over $2,500,000” and used the Nevada City Hotel as an example of a building requiring significant private investment: she said an initial lift and foundation stabilization estimate is “almost $1,000,000… a little over $800,000” for that phase. Rambo said leases would include deadlines for construction, historic‑preservation conditions and termination clauses, and the State Historic Preservation Office would review plans.
Committee members sought details on oversight and worst‑case scenarios if a lessee ran out of funds or construction liens were filed. Rambo said contractual termination clauses, construction deadlines and historic‑preservation requirements would be incorporated into lease terms; Representative Walsh (sponsor) explained that liens would be private and not place state property at risk because the state would remain the property owner and would not be party to private financing.
Supporters framed HB 680 as a way to leverage private capital to address deferred maintenance and capital needs without using general‑fund dollars. Questions from the committee focused on enforcement of preservation covenants, bidding and selection processes, and what steps the Heritage Commission and Department of Commerce would take if a lessee defaulted.
What’s next: The committee closed the hearing on HB 680 and later advanced the bill in executive action.
Sources: Committee hearing testimony from Representative Ken Walsh; Mandy Rambo, Department of Commerce.
