Bill > HB9

This bill establishes funding priorities and appropriations for cultural and aesthetic projects in Montana for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. The Montana Arts Council is authorized to award grants totaling $953,500 from the Cultural and Aesthetic Projects Trust Fund, which is funded by coal tax revenues. The bill provides specific grant amounts to numerous arts, cultural, historical, and community organizations across Montana, ranging from $2,000 to $20,660 per organization. These grants support various entities including theaters, museums, symphonies, dance companies, historical societies, and arts education programs. The bill requires grant recipients to acknowledge that their funding comes from the Cultural and Aesthetic Projects Trust Fund by including a specific statement on their websites and promotional materials. Additionally, the bill appropriates $30,000 to the Montana Historical Society specifically for the care and conservation of artwork in the capitol complex. If the trust fund has insufficient money to fully fund all grants, reductions will be made proportionally to grants over $2,000. Any unencumbered grant money will revert back to the trust fund on July 1, 2027, and the bill itself will become effective on July 1, 2025.

Budget and Finance

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/20251/LC0714