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MontanaHB 1269th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Montana historic preservation grants

Sponsored By: John Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

State grants for local historic sites

The law provides $5.918 million for the Montana Historic Preservation Grant Program for the 2025–2027 biennium, starting July 1, 2025. The Department of Commerce awards projects in priority order and caps each award at the listed amount, as long as money is in the program account. Funded examples include: Hill County Courthouse ($350,000), John Engen Building ($350,000), Carter County Museum ($300,000), and Yellowstone Art Museum ($210,000). Some awards change from earlier lists, such as The Recording Center cut to $24,600, Kalispell Community Thrift/Scandinavian Methodist Church set at $50,000, the Kalispell Train Depot set at $150,000, and a new Mountain States Telephone Building grant at $150,000. The law also adds the Anaconda Deer Lodge County Courthouse ($200,000) and updates some earlier-biennium items.

Changes to 2023 preservation grant list

The law removes the $400,000 grant that had been set aside for Alluvion Health for the Rocky Mountain Building in the 2023 list. It also redirects the prior Montana Club item so Rathskeller, LLC is the recipient, with $90,040.

Grant rules, deadlines, and oversight

The law sets strict rules before money is paid: recipients must have required matching funds, an approved project plan, proper audits and GAAP accounting (Tribal governments follow 2 CFR 200), and a signed grant agreement. Payments happen by reimbursement, so recipients spend first and then get repaid. The Department can reduce awards if actual costs are lower, and the state does not cover any cost overruns. Projects must meet Section 3(1) conditions by September 1, 2026 or face legislative review; and must sign a construction contract by September 30 of the even‑numbered year before the next session or lose the grant, with one two‑year extension allowed for fire/casualty damage or when no qualified contractor can be found despite diligent effort. Recipients must follow the program’s administration manual, and prior grants can be reauthorized to finish already‑contracted work.

Priority funding and deadlines for historic grants

The Department of Commerce funds listed historic projects in priority order during the 2025–2027 biennium, only while money is in the grant account. Each award cannot be more than the amount listed for that project. Projects must first meet the section 3(1) conditions, such as required matching funds and an approved plan. If a project has not met those conditions by September 1, 2026, the next Legislature reviews whether to withdraw the grant. If conditions are still not met by September 30, 2026, the state’s obligation to that grant ends and the award may be withdrawn or reallocated.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • John Fitzpatrick

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 451 • No: 145

House vote • 4/29/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 70 • No: 29

House vote • 4/28/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 69 • No: 31

Senate vote • 4/24/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 39 • No: 10

Senate vote • 4/23/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 44 • No: 6

House vote • 3/19/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 70 • No: 28

House vote • 3/17/2025

AMD-HB0012.002.001 Fitzpatrick J DO PASS

Yes: 98 • No: 2

House vote • 3/17/2025

Do Pass As Amended

Yes: 61 • No: 39

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/19/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/7/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/6/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/2/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/30/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/29/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/29/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/28/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/24/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading

    4/24/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading

    4/23/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report

    4/18/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action

    4/16/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    3/24/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Committee

    3/20/2025Senate

  17. 1st Reading

    3/20/2025Senate

  18. Transmitted to Senate

    3/19/2025House

  19. 3rd Reading

    3/19/2025House

  20. 2nd Reading

    3/17/2025House

  21. 2nd Reading Motion to Amend

    3/17/2025House

  22. Committee Report

    3/3/2025House

  23. Committee Executive Action

    3/3/2025House

  24. Hearing

    2/26/2025House

  25. Hearing

    1/7/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/29/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 4)

    4/18/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    3/31/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    3/4/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    12/11/2024

    PDF

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