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 22, 2025

HJ 8: Study resolution on EV taxation and fees

HJ 8 is a study resolution requesting an interim committee to examine Montana's electric vehicle (EV) registration fees and charging station taxes. It directly affects EV owners, who currently pay an annual fee $152.46 higher than the average gas vehicle owner's fuel tax. The resolution directs the committee to assess the fairness of these fees compared to gas vehicles, review other states' approaches, and develop a more equitable system to address road funding gaps. The study, required to report to the 70th Legislature by September 2026, died in process on May 22, 2025, and never became law.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill studies EV fee equity to address road funding gaps, aiming for fairer transportation infrastructure funding through tax adjustments.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HJ 49: Interim study of U.S. Route 212

This joint resolution (HJ 49) requests an interim study of U.S. Highway 212 east of Billings, Montana, which has the state's highest rural roadway fatality rate (2013-2022) and faces issues like poor road conditions, limited winter maintenance, and lack of cell service. The study would investigate these safety problems, gather data from Montana DOT and local communities, and examine solutions used on other rural roads. It does not create new laws but aims to develop recommendations for safer conditions. The resolution died in committee in May 2025 and never became law.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStudies safety issues on high-fatality rural highway to develop recommendations for improved road safety, aligning with transportation safety enhancement indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 405: Increase on-schedule reimbursement rates for school transportation

HB 405 proposed to increase the maximum reimbursement rates that school districts receive from state and county sources for student transportation. The bill specifically raised the per-mile rates for school buses of different passenger capacities, as well as for non-bus mileage. The intent was to lower school district property taxes designated for transportation expenses. These changes would have applied to school district transportation budgets starting July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases state reimbursement to lower school district property taxes, providing direct tax relief for local communities.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases state reimbursement rates for school transportation, reducing district costs and supporting school finance under education funding.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases reimbursement rates for school bus transportation infrastructure, directly funding school district transportation operations per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 677: Require suspension of a driver's license if driving without insurance

House Bill 677 aimed to revise laws related to driver's licenses by establishing a new consequence for driving without insurance. The bill proposed that the state's department of motor vehicles would be required to suspend the driver's license or driving privilege of any person determined to have driven a vehicle without the legally required insurance coverage. This measure would have added a specific enforcement mechanism for non-compliance with mandatory vehicle insurance laws.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnforces mandatory insurance to improve traffic safety, directly strengthening transportation safety regulations under Motor Vehicles subject.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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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 No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 471: Generally revise vehicular traffic laws related to pedestrian crossings

SB 471 revises vehicular traffic laws to enhance pedestrian safety at crossings by creating the offense of "endangerment of pedestrians." It establishes a tiered system of fines for drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, with higher penalties for violations occurring at crosswalks equipped with activated pedestrian-actuated devices. Drivers are also made liable for the cost of repairing or replacing any pedestrian-actuated devices they damage. Additionally, the bill clarifies driver responsibilities at flashing pedestrian-actuated devices, requiring them to yield and remain stopped until the pedestrian has crossed, or proceed with caution if unable to stop safely.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates penalties for failing to yield to pedestrians at crossings, enhancing road safety and protecting vulnerable users per traffic regulation updates.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 428: Generally revise county speed limits

SB 428 revises how local authorities and county commissions can set speed limits on roads. It allows local authorities to adjust speed limits in various areas, such as urban districts, outside urban districts, and school zones, typically requiring an engineering and traffic investigation. A key change is that boards of county commissioners can now set certain decreased speed limits on county roads, including in school zones, without first conducting an engineering and traffic investigation. The bill also specifies signage requirements for altered limits and mandates consultation with relevant bodies for school zones.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enables quicker implementation of lower speed limits in school zones without engineering studies, enhancing transportation safety per traffic regulation standards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation