10-2-416. Pledge to continue operation and maintenance. Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 8134 and 8135(a)(6), the state shall appropriate funds either from the general fund or from funds generated under 16-11-111 to the department of public health and human services for financial support necessary to provide for continued operation and maintenance of the state homes for veterans in eastern Montana and southwestern Montana. The department of public health and human services shall contract with a private vendor to provide for the operation of the eastern Montana veterans’ home and the southwestern Montana veterans’ home and may charge the contract vendor a rental fee for the maintenance and upkeep of the facility.