About Montana Land Board
The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation handles the day to day management of these lands; and acts as the administrative arm of the Board of Land Commissioners.
The Secretary of State is an active member of our Montana Land Board, which helps our schools and economy.
Other members that serve with our Secretary of State are the Governor, Attorney General, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and State Auditor.
2023 raised $48.6 million for our schools.
There are 5.2 million acres of public trust lands in our amazing state.
Secretary of State fully supports trust lands and their mission to help our Montana businesses and industries
- leasing rights for agriculture and grazing
- agriculture leases
- forest management
- minerals
- real estate management
School Trust Lands are lands owned by the state for the purpose of supporting public schools.
By the Enabling Act of 1889, The Congress of the United States granted to the state of Montana sections 16 and 36 of every township within the state for Common Schools support. Some of these sections had been homesteaded, some were within the boundaries of Native American reservations, and others had been disposed of before passage of the Enabling Act. Other lands were selected by the state in lieu of these lands.
The Montana Constitution established the State Land Board and put oversight of the School Trust Lands in their hands. The State Land Board is made up of the 5 statewide offices, Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Auditor and the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The primary responsibility of the Land Board is to make money for the school trust beneficiaries.
There are 4 main ways School Trust Lands generate revenue:
- Minerals Management – Oil and gas leases, coal leases etc.
- Forest Management – Timber sales etc.
- Agricultural and Grazing Leases
- Real Estate Management – Commercial leases, Easements and Rights of Way, etc.