2-15-150. (Temporary) Lewis and Clark bicentennial commission -- membership -- purpose -- account. (1) There is a Lewis and Clark bicentennial commission.
     (2) The commission consists of 12 members, as follows:
     (a) nine members who must be appointed by the governor, at least three of whom must be enrolled members of a Montana Indian tribe and live on a Montana Indian reservation, who shall serve 3-year staggered terms, who shall represent Montana's different geographical areas, and who must have an interest in the history of the Lewis and Clark expedition;
     (b) the director of the Montana historical society, established in 22-3-101;
     (c) the administrator of the parks division within the department of fish, wildlife, and parks, established in 2-15-3401; and
     (d) the director of travel Montana.
     (3) The commission is responsible for coordinating and promoting observance of Montana's bicentennial commemoration of the Lewis and Clark expedition and the importance of the roles played by Montana's Indian people to the Lewis and Clark expedition. The commission may:
     (a) cooperate with national, regional, statewide, and local events promoting the bicentennial;
     (b) plan and coordinate or assist in planning and coordinating bicentennial events;
     (c) engage in fundraising activities, including revenue-earning enterprises and the solicitation of grants, gifts, and donations;
     (d) promote public education concerning the Lewis and Clark expedition and the history and culture of Montana's Indian people at the time of the Lewis and Clark expedition; and
     (e) perform other related duties.
     (4) (a) The Lewis and Clark bicentennial commission is authorized to enter into contracts, loan agreements, or other forms of indebtedness with the board of investments for an amount not to exceed $3 million, payable over a term not to exceed 6 years, for the purposes identified in subsection (3).
     (b) The Lewis and Clark bicentennial commission shall pledge to the repayment of any indebtedness the proceeds from the sale of Lewis and Clark bicentennial license plates as provided in 2-15-151.
     (c) The proceeds of any loan from the board of investments to the Lewis and Clark bicentennial commission must be deposited in the account established in subsection (5).
     (5) There is a Montana Lewis and Clark bicentennial account. Money in the account may include money from revenue-earning enterprises, grants, gifts, or donations, money appropriated by the legislature, and interest earned on the account. Account funds must be used for the purposes described in this section.
     (6) The commission is attached to the Montana historical society for administrative purposes only as provided in 2-15-121. (Subsections (1) through (3), (5), and (6) terminate December 31, 2007--sec. 2, Ch. 428, L. 1997; subsection (4) terminates December 31, 2006--sec. 17, Ch. 414, L. 2001.)

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 428, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 414, L. 2001.