Transportation

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 359: Revise traffic laws related to distracted driving

SB 359 would have prohibited holding or using handheld mobile devices while driving in Montana, including texting, watching videos, or recording content, except for hands-free navigation or voice calls. It would have required drivers to use hands-free devices for calls and navigation, with exceptions for emergency vehicles, law enforcement, and work-related radio use. Violations would have carried civil penalties of $75-$149 for a first offense and $150-$250 for repeat offenses. The bill aimed to reduce distracted driving by clarifying restrictions on device use and defining terms like "portable wireless communication device" in Montana law.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits distracted driving to enhance road safety, directly strengthening transportation safety standards under Transportation subject.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 324: Revise vehicle registration fees and allocate revenue for bridges and victims of crime

SB 324 revises vehicle registration fees for high-end vehicles, adding a 1% fee based on the vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the first year of registration after January 1, 2026, for cars over $150,000 and motorhomes over $300,000. It directly affects owners of these high-value vehicles, replacing a flat annual add-on fee with the percentage-based assessment. Revenue from these fees will fund two specific programs: grants for bridge projects through the Department of Transportation and services for crime victims via the Board of Crime Control. The bill also updates related sections of Montana law governing registration fees and special revenue accounts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesNew 1% tax on luxury vehicles funds bridges/victims' programs, advancing public service funding without burdening middle/lower income.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates revenue to fund victims of crime programs, directly supporting criminal justice services per bill's summary.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill directs new vehicle registration revenue specifically to fund bridge projects through Department of Transportation, explicitly aligning with highway infrastructure funding under Transportation subject.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HJ 12: Resolution regarding electric vehicles

HJ 12 is a Montana joint resolution requesting the U.S. Congress remove federal requirements for electric vehicle (EV) purchases. It cites Montana-specific challenges like limited rural charging infrastructure, reduced EV range in cold weather, and lack of all-terrain EV options, arguing these make EVs impractical for Montanans' needs. The resolution does not create new law but asks Congress to eliminate federal EV mandates, allowing Montanans to choose vehicle types freely. It was referred to a committee but died in 2025 without further action.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill requests removal of federal EV mandates, opposing federal energy policy promoting EV adoption and clean transportation infrastructure.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill seeks to eliminate federal EV mandates, weakening promotion of cleaner transportation - a key environmental protection measure. Removing such requirements opposes climate action goals.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRequests removal of federal EV mandates, opposing federal regulation of vehicle choices in transportation policy, directly limiting transportation program requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Transportation

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 369: Create a county road maintenance district

HB 369 authorizes the creation of county road maintenance districts to maintain roads that were previously serviced by the county but owned by other entities. These districts can be formed when at least 66% of property owners in a proposed area petition the county commissioners. The districts are funded by assessing maintenance costs directly against the benefited properties within the district. The amount assessed by a district must then be subtracted from the county's general fund dedicated to road improvement or maintenance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill redirects road maintenance costs to property assessments, reducing county general fund burden via direct beneficiary funding, promoting fiscal responsibility in county finance.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates road maintenance districts to fund infrastructure, directly advancing highway maintenance under Transportation topic via dedicated funding mechanism.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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signed · Montana · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 309: Eliminate the Scenic-Historic Byways Advisory Council

SB 309 eliminates the Scenic-Historic Byways Advisory Council, which was previously responsible for assisting in the design and review of the state's scenic-historic byways program. This council, composed of up to 11 members with expertise in areas like tourism, history, and transportation, also helped develop criteria for designating roads. Under this bill, the Montana Department of Transportation and the commission would no longer have this specific advisory body for these functions. The scenic-historic byways program itself and the commission's authority to designate roads remain in effect.

Topics ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationEliminates advisory council responsible for scenic-historic byways program, a transportation infrastructure function, aligning with 'eliminate transportation programs' indicator.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Transportation

passed both · Montana · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SJ 3: Provide for a joint resolution on CDLs

Montana's SJ 3 is a joint resolution urging the U.S. Congress to revise federal commercial driver's license (CDL) requirements. It specifically requests that Congress exempt small haulers (e.g., pickup trucks carrying nonhazardous materials) and school bus drivers from needing CDLs, citing burdens on small businesses and rural school districts. The resolution does not change any laws but formally asks Congress to adjust federal rules to reduce these requirements. Montana's delegation and relevant federal committees will receive copies of the resolution.

Topics ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationExempts small haulers/school bus drivers from CDL requirements, reducing regulatory burden under transportation policy.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Transportation

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