HELENA, Mont. (NMB) – After being originally tabled, but then revived by the entire House of Representatives, the Montana Museums Act passed out of committee Wednesday.
Tim Pierce with the UM Legislative News Service reports that Senate Bill 338 would increase the state bed tax from three to four percent to pay for a new location for the Montana Historical Society. The bill would also used the increased tax revenue to build and maintain infrastructure for other museums and historical sites across Montana.
Montana Chamber of Commerce CEO Cary Hegreberg supported the bill during a public hearing in the House Appropriations Committee.
“This is the appropriate way to fund the preservation of Montana’s history. Not only here in Helena, but throughout the state. I think having a heritage center and having a museums of quality around the state of Montana will not only induce more tourism, but I think it will also induce people who are traveling on business to spend an extra day or two and enjoy and learn about Montana.”
The bill’s sponsor, Senator Terry Gauthier of Helena, told the committee the bill has failed the past seven sessions.
“There’s been a lot of hard-working people working on this thing for about 15 years. So, it’s nothing new to the Montana Legislature. So, today I ask you to make some real history and let’s support this bill.”
The committee voted to pass the bill 16-to-6, and the bill is scheduled for its final vote in the Montana Legislature Thursday.
