Montana Code Annotated
Part 1. State Parks
23-1-111. Powers and duties of board -- rulemaking -- meetings

23-1-111. Powers and duties of board -- rulemaking -- meetings. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), for state parks, primitive parks, state recreational areas, public camping grounds, state historic sites, state monuments, and other heritage and recreational resources, land, and water administered pursuant to Title 23, chapter 1, and Title 23, chapter 2, parts 1, 4, and 9, the board shall:
(a) set the policies and provide direction to the department for:
(i) the management, protection, conservation, and preservation of these properties, lands, and waters and their appropriate role relative to tourism and the economic health of Montana;
(ii) coordinating, integrating, promoting, and furthering opportunities for education and recreation at these sites, including but not limited to camping, hiking, snowmobiling, off-highway vehicle use, horseback riding, mountain biking, boating, and swimming;
(b) work with the commission to maintain hunting and angling opportunities on these lands and waters;
(c) establish the rules of the department governing the use of these properties and lands. The rules must be adopted in the interest of public health, public safety, public welfare, and protection of property and public resources in regulating recreation, including picnicking, camping, and swimming, and sanitation. These rules are subject to review and approval by the department of public health and human services with regard to issues of public health and sanitation before becoming effective. Copies of the rules must show that endorsement.
(d) review and approve all acquisitions or transfers of interest in these properties, lands, and waters by the department, except as provided in 87-1-209(4). Except as provided in subsection (4), any decision by the board to divest the department of a fee title interest in a state park or a portion of a state park must be approved by the legislature in the next regular legislative session.
(e) review and approve the budget of the department for the administration of these properties, lands, and waters prior to its transmittal to the office of budget and program planning;
(f) review and approve construction projects that have an estimated cost of more than $50,000;
(g) work with local, state, and federal agencies to evaluate, integrate, coordinate, and promote recreational opportunities statewide; and
(h) encourage citizen involvement in management planning for these properties, lands, and waters.
(2) Pursuant to 87-1-301(1), the board does not oversee department activities related to the administration of fishing access sites.
(3) The members of the board shall hold quarterly or other meetings for the transaction of business at times and places considered necessary and proper. The meetings must be called by the presiding officer or by a majority of the board and must be held at the time and place specified in the call for the meeting. A majority of the members constitutes a quorum for the transaction of any business. The board shall keep a record of all the business it transacts. The presiding officer and secretary shall sign all orders, minutes, or documents for the board.
(4) (a) Approval of the legislature is not required for decisions regarding the transfer of a fee title interest in affiliated lands or land that is part of an exchange to consolidate ownership or address impacts to neighboring landowners.
(b) For the purposes of this subsection (4), the term "affiliated lands" means lands owned by the department but:
(i) not actively managed by the department; or
(ii) managed by another entity.
History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 235, L. 2013; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 127, L. 2019; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 282, L. 2019.