HB 235: Provide for voluntary cancellation and suspension of vehicle registration - Montana

HB0235_2(10).pdf → HB0235_X.pdf · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to clarify its purpose by explicitly adding 'rulemaking authority' to the title and text. The core policy regarding voluntary cancellation and suspension of vehicle registrations remains unchanged, but the authority to implement these rules was expanded to include specific administrative procedures like automated mailing, fleet definitions, and temporary permits for out-of-state vehicles.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include broader rulemaking authority for the Department of Transportation, covering fleet registrations, specialty plates, and temporary permits for non-residents and dealers, in addition to the existing voluntary cancellation and suspension provisions.

REQUIREMENT

Added explicit rulemaking authority for the department to establish procedures for voluntary cancellation and suspension of vehicle registrations.

SCOPE

Expanded the scope of rulemaking authority to include fleet definitions, automated mailing of plates, and temporary permits for out-of-state vehicles and dealers.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'fleet' and procedures for simultaneous registration of vehicles with common ownership.

TECHNICAL

Removed redundant or conflicting text regarding the amendment of Section 61-6-301, replacing it with a focus on Section 61-14-101.

HB0235_3.pdf → HB0235_2(10).pdf · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from HB 235 to HB 235.2 and reorganized into four distinct sections. It establishes a new framework for voluntary cancellation or suspension of vehicle registrations, clarifying that all registered owners must consent to these actions. The bill also updates insurance requirements to explicitly exempt vehicles with voluntarily canceled or suspended registrations from mandatory liability coverage and defines the owner's right to sue (implead) drivers who operate such vehicles.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include specific provisions for the liability and legal recourse (impleader) regarding vehicles with canceled or suspended registrations, which were previously less defined.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section requiring all registered owners to consent before a vehicle's registration can be voluntarily canceled or suspended.

Modified insurance requirements to explicitly state that owners are not obligated to maintain liability insurance after voluntarily canceling or suspending a vehicle's registration.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new section establishing that vehicle owners can sue (implead) drivers who operate vehicles with canceled or suspended registrations for tolls, fines, and damages.

DEFINITION

Updated rulemaking authority to include specific rules for voluntary cancellation and suspension processes.

HB0235_2(9).pdf → HB0235_3.pdf · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill revises Montana's motor vehicle laws to allow vehicle owners to voluntarily cancel or suspend their registration. It clarifies that all registered owners must consent to this action and establishes that the driver remains liable for fines and damages even if the vehicle is not registered. The bill also updates the state's rulemaking authority to include specific procedures for handling voluntary cancellations and suspensions.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of voluntary registration changes by adding specific requirements for multi-owner vehicles and clarifying liability rules for drivers of unregistered vehicles.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that all adults registered as owners of a vehicle must consent to voluntarily cancel or suspend the registration.

Added a new section stating that the driver of a vehicle with canceled or suspended registration is liable for all tolls, fines, and damages, and the owner may sue the driver for these costs.

Modified the rulemaking authority section to explicitly include rules for voluntary cancellation or suspension of registration and the process for ending a voluntary suspension.

Modified the mandatory insurance section to clarify that owners are not required to maintain insurance after voluntarily canceling or suspending a vehicle's registration.

HB0235_2(4).pdf → HB0235_2(5).pdf · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill introduces minor formatting adjustments to the text of the required motor vehicle insurance statute, specifically reordering phrases in the opening clause to improve readability. These changes do not alter the legal requirements, coverage amounts, or applicability of the law.

TECHNICAL

Reordered the introductory phrase in Section 4 to place 'Except as provided in subsection (1)(b)' before the subject 'an owner of a motor vehicle', clarifying the sentence structure without changing the law's meaning.

HB0235_2(3).pdf → HB0235_2(4).pdf · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill amends vehicle registration rules to allow for simultaneous registration of multiple vehicles under common ownership and defines 'fleet' vehicles more clearly. It also updates procedures for specialty license plates, including character limits and graphic placement, and clarifies rules for voluntary suspension of vehicle registrations. Additionally, the bill expands temporary registration permits to include specific watercraft and off-highway vehicles.

Scope change

The scope of vehicle registration rules was expanded to include specific categories of watercraft and off-highway vehicles for temporary permits, and the definition of 'fleet' was added to clarify applicability for multiple vehicle registrations.

DEFINITION

Added a definition for 'fleet' to clarify rules for multiple vehicles under common ownership.

REQUIREMENT

Updated requirements for specialty license plates to specify character limits and graphic placement rules.

Clarified rules for voluntary cancellation or suspension of vehicle registrations.

ELIGIBILITY

Extended eligibility for temporary registration permits to include motorboats, sailboats, snowmobiles, and off-highway vehicles.

HB0235_1(8).pdf → HB0235_2.pdf · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill primarily updates the official title and bill number from HB 235.1 to HB 235.2. It also makes minor formatting adjustments to the text of the law, such as changing the section reference from 'sections 61-6-301 and 61-14-101' to 'section 61-6-301 and section 61-14-101' and renumbering the rulemaking authority subsections. No substantive policy changes regarding insurance requirements, vehicle registration rules, or exemptions were identified.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill title and number from HB 235.1 to HB 235.2.

Changed the reference in the summary title from 'sections 61-6-301 and 61-14-101' to 'section 61-6-301 and section 61-14-101'.

Adjusted line breaks and spacing in the text of the insurance and rulemaking sections.

Renumbered the subsections within the rulemaking authority section (e.g., changing (3) to (5) and (4) to (6)) to correct the numbering sequence.

LC1501.pdf → HB0235_1.pdf · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill has been renumbered from LC 1501 to HB 235 and updated with new sponsors. The text includes minor formatting adjustments, such as changing 'THIS state' to 'this state' and renumbering a list of administrative rules. No substantive policy changes regarding vehicle laws, fees, or eligibility were identified.

TECHNICAL

The bill was renumbered from LC 1501 to HB 235, and the list of sponsors was updated to include N. Duram, E. Byrne, C. Schomer, G. Hunter, D. Loge, and M. Noland.

Minor text formatting changes were made, including replacing 'THIS state' with 'this state' and renumbering a section regarding vehicle brands from (5) to (3)(5).

Provide for voluntary cancellation and suspension of vehicle registration

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