HB 680 — A Bad Deal for Montana’s Historic Treasures

While House District 69 Representative Ken Walsh sponsored HB 680, it passed with overwhelming support from the Legislature, making it a mistake shared by many that never should have happened.

HB 680 changes how Montana treats two of its most important historic places: Virginia City and Nevada City. These towns are not just state-owned property. They are living parts of Montana’s story, held in trust for future generations. HB 680 breaks that trust.

The bill allows the state to enter into 99-year lease agreements. In simple terms, that gives private operators control of Virginia City and Nevada City for nearly a century. That kind of control lasts longer than most Montanans alive today will ever see. It also comes with very little public oversight.

HB 680 also weakens review standards for construction and repairs. This creates a real risk that development could change the historic character of these towns. Once that character is lost, it cannot be brought back. A modern tourist destination is not the same as a preserved historic town.

The bill goes even further. It allows large construction projects costing more than $300,000 to move forward without legislative approval. All a project has to claim is that a delay could cause “damage.” That wording is unclear and easy to misuse. It allows major changes to happen with little transparency and almost no oversight.

Local voices are pushed aside as well. While HB 680 requires public hearings, it allows the governing commission to ignore public input. That means Montanans can speak, but their concerns do not have to be considered. People who live near these towns, work in them, or care deeply about them are left without a real say.

HB 680 also removes important taxpayer protections. The bill allows the state to bypass Montana’s Title 18 procurement laws and avoid competitive bidding. These laws exist to prevent favoritism, inflated costs, and backroom deals. When the government negotiates private agreements behind closed doors, taxpayers usually pay more.

Supporters of HB 680 argue that the state cannot afford to maintain Virginia City and Nevada City without outside investment. They claim the bill improves preservation. In reality, it does the opposite. HB 680 increases the risk of privatization and shifts control from the public to private interests. Those interests may not share Montana’s values of preservation, authenticity, and public access.

Virginia City and Nevada City belong to the people of Montana. They do not belong to political commissions or private companies. Once control is handed over for 99 years, there is no practical way to undo the damage.

The Legislature made a mistake with HB 680. The good news is that mistakes can be fixed. During the 2027 legislative session, Montana lawmakers should repeal HB 680 and restore transparency, accountability, and public oversight of these historic towns.