Senate advances Hill Air Force museum funding request to final accounting after supporters stress tourism benefits

Senators heard testimony in support of Senate Bill 88, an appropriation measure for renovation of the Hill Air Force Museum, as sponsor Senator Robert Montgomery urged colleagues to allow the bill to survive to the end-of-session accounting without appropriating funds today. Montgomery said the museum is "part of the Air Force's community relations program," noting that the Air Force contributes roughly $150,000 a year in support and that the facility draws visitors and volunteer labor that benefit tourism and education.

Senators raised questions about admission charges and how any ingress fees would be handled. Members noted that there is no current admission charge and that, per testimony, any federal fee collected would go into federal funds rather than directly to the museum, reducing the local benefit if a charge were imposed. Supporters described the museum as a statewide asset that adds to culture and economic attraction; opponents cautioned about discretionary spending in the state budget.

The Senate called the question and took a final roll call, after which the floor recorded the final vote for the bill (transcript reports the final tally on the floor). Senator Montgomery said the measure is not an appropriation today but would allow the bill to remain in contention for consideration at final accounting.

Ending: The Senate advanced the measure and asked members to consider it during final budget prioritization; supporters pledged to continue building support for the museum at later steps in the session.