Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown praised the Montana Board of Land Commissioners this week after approving an estimated $1.7 million in revenue to support the state’s public schools. The decision, made during the Land Board’s May meeting, reflects the board’s continued efforts to responsibly manage Montana’s trust lands in service of students across the state.
“The five members of the Land Board, including myself, Governor Gianforte, Attorney General Knudsen, Superintendent of Public Instruction Hedalen, and Secretary of State Jacobsen, have once again demonstrated how responsible stewardship of Montana’s trust lands delivers real results for our schools,” Brown said. “The revenue approved today will directly benefit students and classrooms across the state.”
The $1.7 million in revenue was generated through a variety of activities across the state’s 5.2 million acres of trust lands, including:
- $580,000 from communization agreements
- $423,305 from timber sales
- $360,000 from cabin and homesite revenues
- $217,392 from oil and gas lease revenues
- $72,657 from easements
These funds will be directed toward Montana’s K–12 public school system, providing essential resources for classrooms, teachers, and students statewide.
Brown, who was elected State Auditor in 2024, emphasized the importance of transparency and maximizing returns from state lands to uphold the constitutional obligation of supporting public education while protecting Montana’s natural resources.
“As a member of the Land Board, I remain committed to ensuring that Montana’s students continue to benefit from the prudent management of our state’s land assets,” Brown said. He also thanked the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) staff for their continued diligence in managing trust lands sustainably.
The Land Board’s role is grounded in the Montana Constitution, which mandates that state trust lands be used to generate income for public schools and other public institutions. Revenue from these lands plays a crucial role in sustaining Montana’s education system, especially in rural and underfunded districts.
“This is more than just a funding allocation—it’s an investment in Montana’s future,” Brown said. “One school, one student, and one community at a time.”