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The Montana State Planning Board was initially established by the 1934 Special Session of the Legislative Assembly as an ex-officio part of the State Water Conservation Board. In 1935 the Legislative Assembly established the State Planning Board in its own right. Although it was to be composed of the same members as the State Water Conservation Board, the Planning Board now had its own policies and directives. The Board was charged to use scientific knowledge and foresight to assist in "solving the complex problems of Montana, thereby effecting more immediate stabilization of the agricultural, livestock, mining and other industries of the state and bringing about more efficient, economic and fuller use of the manifold resources of Montana." The Board could appoint an advisory council of five citizens and was funded by the State Water Conservation Board. Due to a lack of funding from the Water Board, the Planning Board was basically inactive from 1941 until 1955. The 1967 Legislative Assembly abolished the State Planning Board and replaced it with the Department of Planning and Economic Development. This Department was governed by the Planning and Development Commission, which consisted of seven members appointed by and including the Governor. The Department was created to "promote, stimulate and encourage the planning and development of the economy of the state in order to provide for the social and economic prosperity of its citizens." They were to examine the development of industry, commerce, agriculture, labor and natural resoures. The Department continued in operation until 1974, when it was transferred to the Department of Intergovernmental Affairs as the Planning and Economic Development Division through the executive reorganization. The Planning and Development Commission was abolished at this time. A year later, in 1975, the Legislature again moved the Division to the Research and Information System Divsion in the Department of Community Affairs.