House Bill No. 93

Introduced By hagener, jenkins, peck, jergeson

A Bill for an Act entitled: "An Act designating portions of Fort Benton city streets and state and U.S. highways from Fort Benton through Havre into Saskatchewan, Canada, as the "Old Forts Trail"."

WHEREAS, north central Montana is rich in diverse historic resources; and

WHEREAS, cultural tourism is an important industry in north central Montana; and

WHEREAS, on January 27, 1996, the Fort Assinniboine Preservation Association, the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce, Fort Benton's River and Plains Society and Fort Restoration Committee, and governmental entities in Saskatchewan, Canada, formed the Old Forts Trail Association; and

WHEREAS, the Old Forts Trail Association wishes to promote cultural tourism in north central Montana, southeastern Alberta, and southwestern Saskatchewan by designating the Old Forts Trail; and

WHEREAS, the routes that the Old Forts Trail Association seek to commemorate provided vital military and economic links among the outposts and towns of north central Montana, southeastern Alberta, and southwestern Saskatchewan in the 19th century; and

WHEREAS, formal recognition of the Old Forts Trail would enlighten the public about a significant period in the development of north central Montana, southeastern Alberta, and southwestern Saskatchewan; would attract more visitors to north central Montana and Canada; and would encourage tourists to stay in the area, thereby fostering the local economy.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Montana:

NEW SECTION. Section 1.  Old forts trail. Beginning at the Old Fort park in Fort Benton, proceeding west via 20th street to Saint Charles street, along Saint Charles street to state highway 387, along state highway 387 to U.S. highway 87 to Havre, continuing along state highway 233 and into Canada on Saskatchewan 21, the Old Forts Trail is established.

NEW SECTION. Section 2.  Markers -- commemorative highways. The (1) AS FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE UNDER SUBSECTION (2), THE department may design and erect signs along the commemorative highways designated in 60-1-202 through 60-1-206 and [section 1] identifying the routes and providing interpretive information.

(2) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ACCEPT MONEY FROM OTHER STATE AGENCIES, FEDERAL AGENCIES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, OR PRIVATE PERSONS FOR THE PURPOSES OF SUBSECTION (1) AND MAY EXPEND THE MONEY RECEIVED FOR THOSE PURPOSES.

NEW SECTION. Section 3.  Codification instruction. (1) [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 60, chapter 1, part 2, and the provisions of Title 60, chapter 1, part 2, apply to [section 1].

(2) [Section 2] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 60, chapter 2, part 2, and the provisions of Title 60, chapter 2, part 2, apply to [section 2].

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