The Thirty-third Legislative Assembly appropriated money for the purpose of repairing and modernizing certain areas of the building. Certain urgent repairs were made in 1953 under the direction of Martin Kelly, Engineer for the Montana State Board of Examiners.

Replacement of floor slabs in the corridors on ground floor was started in September. It soon became evident that the deterioration of the cinder-concrete-structural slabs within the original building presented a serious problem and, if the cinder concrete was allowed to deteriorate further, the floor systems within the original building would fail.

Acoustical ceiling is added to House Lobby; east and west wings are re-wired

Morrison-Maierle, Inc. are retained to conduct investigations and engineering studies to determine the scope of work required to structurally reinforce the building and to provide safe, modern and efficient working space for the offices located in the building. They were also directed to determine what provisions were required to make the building resistant to earthquakes of the magnitude expected in the Helena area. In a report dated September, 1955, titled "Preliminary Studies and Report for Structural Repairs,Renovation and Modernization of Montana State Capitol Building, Helena, Montana" it was estimated that the cost for structural renovation (including earthquake reinforcement) and modernization of the original building would cost $2,485,040.00.
Study estimates that a new State Capitol Building would cost approximately $6,564,265.00.

Waterproofing of exterior.

Montana Supreme Court rules against the Board of Examiners in Bryant vs. Board of Examiners, thereby striking down legislation which would have expanded application of funds from capitol lands to use in reconstruction, renovation, and permanent improvement of the existing capitol.

Enabling Act is amended to allow use of funds from capitol bonds for "repair, renovation, furnishings, equipment, an any other permanent improvement", in addition to use of those funds for new construction.