Montana Historical Society asks lawmakers to remove sunset dates on two revenue accounts

Representative Darling introduced House Bill 166 on behalf of the Montana Historical Society, asking lawmakers to remove termination (sunset) dates on two special revenue accounts that fund the society’s membership program and interior maintenance of the original Governor’s Mansion.

Emily McKeever, administrator for the Montana Historical Society, testified the accounts allow the agency to collect membership fees and donations used to support education, public programming and upkeep of the mansion interior. McKeever said the society operates under statutory authority to create classes of membership and that the Department of Administration provides policy authority for care of historic furnishings; she described the revenue as important to the agency’s operations.

McKeever told the committee that the society’s membership fund is budgeted at $129,438 for fiscal 2026 and projected at $129,440 for fiscal 2027, revenues collected from members and used through statutory appropriation. She said if the committee declines the bill the agency would need to find another funding source to continue membership activities and interior maintenance.

Representative Darling closed by noting the committee had requested but not yet received a fiscal note for the bill and said she would not ask for action until the committee had that information. She framed the measure as an administrative fix to avoid repeatedly returning to the Legislature to renew accounts.

The committee did not take a final vote on HB166 during this hearing; members asked that the fiscal note be posted before further action.