MT SB116

Reduces the Montana Heritage Preservation and Development Commission from 14 members to 9 members, with 2 appointed by the governor, 2 by the senate president, and 2 by the house speaker, plus 3 ex-officio agency directors

Shortens the deadline for legislative leaders to make appointments from 6 months to 2 months before the governor may fill those vacancies

Transfers staffing authority from the commission to the Department of Commerce, which will provide all staff and services and assess the commission for reasonable costs

Changes member qualification requirements from mandatory specific categories to prioritized selection criteria including experience in tourism, community planning, historic preservation, and business

Effective July 1, 2025, with reduction in membership occurring as existing governor-appointed members' terms expire