Section 11-11-53 - Appropriation for historical works - Authorization of tax levy - Approval of state historical society and attorney general1. The board of county commissioners of any county may appropriate out of the general fund of the county a sum, not exceeding five thousand dollars annually, to be paid to the historical society of the county and used for the promotion of historical work within the borders of the county, including the collection, preservation, and publication of historical material, and to disseminate historical information of the county, and in general to defray the expense of carrying on historical work in the county.2. The board of county commissioners may levy a tax, not exceeding the limitation in subsection 3 of section 57-15-06.7, for the promotion of historical works within the borders of the county and in general, defray the expense of carrying on historical work in the county, including the maintenance of any historical room or building, and furthering the work of the historical society of the county. The levy is in addition to any moneys appropriated from the general fund of the county for historical work as provided in subsection 1. The board of county commissioners may, by resolution, submit the question of a voter-approved tax levy to the qualified electors of the county at the next countywide general, primary, or special election. If sixty percent of the qualified electors voting on the question approve, a tax may be levied not exceeding the limitation in subsection 3 of section 57-15-06.7, which tax may be expended as provided in this section. Voter-approved levy authority under this section authorized by electors of a county before January 1, 2015, remains in effect through taxable year 2024 or for the time period authorized by the electors, whichever expires first. After January 1, 2015, approval or reauthorization by electors of voter-approved levy authority under this section may not be effective for more than ten taxable years.
3. The appropriation and levy authorized by this section may not be used to defray any expenses of a county historical society until it is incorporated under the laws of this state as a nonprofit corporation, is affiliated with and has its articles of incorporation and bylaws approved by the state historical society and the attorney general, and has contracted with the board of county commissioners in regard to the manner in which the funds received will be expended and the services to be provided. Historical societies that qualified for county funds under subsection 1 before July 1, 1965, are not required to have articles of incorporation and bylaws approved by the attorney general to receive funds under subsection 1.Amended by S.L. 2015, ch. 88 (SB 2056),§ 9, eff. 1/1/2016.Amended by S.L. 2015, ch. 439 (SB 2144),§ 13, eff. 1/1/2015.