Transportation

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 933: Establish the Montana railroad crossing clarity act

HB 933, the "Montana Railroad Crossing Clarity Act," would establish a framework for utilities to place infrastructure within railroad rights-of-way and adjacent railroad land. It outlines an application process requiring utilities to provide notice, project drawings, and a certificate of insurance to railroads. The bill sets limits on the one-time crossing fees and potential annual fees that utilities would pay for these crossings. Utilities could commence construction 30 days after a complete application, unless a railroad objects due to safety concerns, with provisions for dispute resolution.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes framework for utility infrastructure in railroad rights-of-way, clarifying processes to support transportation infrastructure development and safety at crossings.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 103: Creating a railroad track inspection program

HB 103 aimed to establish a Montana Rail Inspection Program to supervise and inspect railroads operating within the state. The bill proposed creating a dedicated Montana rail inspection account in the state special revenue fund. This account would be funded by diverting 8% of taxes collected from railroad car company property. The program was mandated to employ specific inspectors for motive power, equipment, track, and operating practices, along with administrative staff.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates rail safety inspection program funded by transportation-related taxes, directly advancing transportation infrastructure safety and oversight.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 172: Revise laws for prioritization of highway projects

House Bill 172 revises the process for prioritizing highway construction and reconstruction projects. It requires the Transportation Interim Committee to prepare a joint resolution for each legislative session, recommending specific projects for the Transportation Commission to prioritize. The bill also mandates that the Transportation Commission report biennially to the committee on the status of these recommended projects, explaining any reasons why a project was not prioritized. The Department of Transportation is tasked with assisting the Commission in considering these legislative recommendations.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes process to prioritize highway projects and mandates status reports, advancing infrastructure management and ensuring project progression.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HJ 3: Joint resolution on Bowman's Corner

House Joint Resolution 3 (HJ 3) is a legislative measure that recommends the Montana Transportation Commission prioritize specific projects. It urges the Commission to focus on safety improvements at the intersection of U.S. Highway 287 and Montana Highway 200, commonly known as Bowman's Corner. This resolution serves as a recommendation from the Legislature to the Commission regarding highway construction and reconstruction project prioritization.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationUrges prioritization of safety improvements at Bowman's Corner intersection, directly advancing transportation safety standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 951: Transferring funds to local road and bridge account

HB 951 proposed a one-time transfer of $30 million from the state's general fund to the local road and bridge account. This action would have directed the state treasurer to complete the transfer by July 15, 2025. The funds were intended to support local road and bridge projects throughout the state, benefiting communities and their infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTransfers $30M from general fund to road infrastructure, directly allocating state budget funds to support essential public infrastructure projects.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationTransfers $30M to local road/bridge projects, directly funding infrastructure improvements per bill summary and subjects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

Track

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 588: Defining and regulating motorized scooters

HB 588 revises existing transportation laws by establishing a legal definition for "motorized scooter." The bill also provides specific regulations for the operation and use of these devices. It achieves this by amending various sections of the Montana Code Annotated to integrate motorized scooters into the state's vehicle and traffic laws.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes regulatory framework for motorized scooters under transportation laws, enhancing traffic regulation clarity and safety within vehicle operations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 586: Generally revise child safety restraint system laws

HB 586 revises child safety restraint system laws, establishing new age-specific requirements for children traveling in motor vehicles. It mandates that children under 2 years use a rear-facing system, children aged 2-4 use a rear-facing or forward-facing system with a harness, and children aged 4-8 use a forward-facing system with a harness or a booster seat. Children 9 years or older, or those who have outgrown a booster, must use an adult safety belt. The bill also defines various restraint types and provides exemptions for certain vehicles like school buses or in emergency situations.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates age-specific vehicle safety restraints, strengthening traffic safety regulations under Transportation policy as explicitly listed in bill subjects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 11: Providing grants and appropriations through the Montana coal endowment program

HB 11 appropriates money from the Montana coal endowment special revenue account to the Department of Commerce for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025. This bill authorizes over $20 million in grants for specific water and wastewater infrastructure projects in various towns, cities, and water/sewer districts across Montana. Additionally, it allocates over $3.5 million for bridge projects in several counties. The grants are conditional upon recipients meeting specified requirements and the availability of funds, with deadlines for project completion to maintain eligibility.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $23.5M from coal endowment for infrastructure projects, directly funding public services via state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $3.5M for bridge projects, directly funding transportation infrastructure (bridges are part of road/highway systems).90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 553: Generally revise state policy laws

SB 553 introduces new policies concerning residential development, airline travel, and legislative committees. It allows local governments to establish rules for residential developers to share costs for extending or enhancing capital facilities or intersection improvements. The bill also prohibits expiration dates on airline travel credits, assigns ownership to the possessor, limits associated fees, and allows for cash redemption of small remaining balances. Additionally, it establishes a $1 fee on airline tickets for travel to or from Montana, with the collected revenue designated to combat human trafficking.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllows local governments to require developers to share costs for road infrastructure improvements, directly funding transportation capital projects.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 483: Revise laws to reduce property taxes while preserving the current 95 school equalization mills

HB 483 aims to reduce property taxes by revising school funding laws, while preserving the existing 95 school equalization mills. The bill fixes state and county school equalization mills and vocational-technical education mills, and exempts school levies from general property tax increase limits. It also increases guaranteed tax base multipliers for fiscal year 2026 and raises state reimbursement rates for school transportation, which helps lower local property tax burdens. Additionally, the bill requires reports from the Office of Public Instruction and Department of Revenue on the impacts of property reappraisal on school funding and property taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly reduces property taxes through revised school funding laws, exempts school levies from tax limits, and raises state reimbursement rates to lower local property tax burdens while preserving school funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPreserves 95 school equalization mills and raises state reimbursement rates for school transportation, reducing local property tax burden while maintaining school funding stability.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly increases state reimbursement rates for school transportation, directly funding this transportation infrastructure component.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation