2-17-101. Allocation of space. (1) The department of administration shall determine the space required by state agencies other than the university system and shall allocate space in buildings owned or leased by the state, based on each agency's need. To efficiently and effectively allocate space, the department periodically shall identify the amount, location, and nature of space used by each agency.
     (2) An agency requiring additional space shall notify the department. The department, in consultation with the agency, shall determine the amount and nature of the space needed and locate space within a building owned or leased by the state to meet the agency's requirements. If space is not available in a building owned or leased by the state, the department shall locate space to be leased in an appropriate building or recommend alternatives to leasing, such as remodeling or exchanging space with another agency. A state agency may not lease, rent, or purchase property for quarters without prior approval of the department.
     (3) (a) The location of the chambers for the house of representatives must be determined in the sole discretion of the house of representatives. The location of the chambers of the senate must be determined in the sole discretion of the senate.
     (b) Subject to 2-17-108, the department, with the advice of the legislative council, shall allocate other space for the use of the legislature, including but not limited to space for committee rooms and legislative offices.
     (4) For state agencies located in a city other than Helena, the department shall consolidate the offices of these agencies in a single, central location within the city whenever the consolidation would result in a cost savings to the state while permitting sufficient space and facilities for the agencies. The department may purchase, lease, or acquire, by exchange or otherwise, land and buildings in the city to achieve consolidation. Offices of the law enforcement services division and motor vehicle division of the department of justice are exempted from consolidation.

     History: En. Sec. 8, Ch. 271, L. 1963; amd. Sec. 98, Ch. 326, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 82-3308; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 700, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 594, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 655, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 7, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 530, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 20, L. 1997.