Transportation (Roads & Highways)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 2110: Revise laws related to metropolitan planning orgs and transportation planning

This bill, known as Noah's Act, streamlines transportation planning in Montana by reducing redundant reviews for projects approved by metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). It directly affects MPOs, local governments, and state transportation agencies by allowing department administrators to approve certain urban street and safety improvement projects without requiring additional review from the Transportation Commission. The key provision states that projects implementing previously approved long-range transportation plans do not need further commission review, while department administrators gain authority to approve smaller-scale projects in areas without MPOs. The legislation also amends existing state laws to clarify how priorities are set and contracts are let for highway construction, ensuring compliance with federal and state standards while eliminating duplicative oversight.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill streamlines transportation planning and reduces redundant reviews for approved projects, enhancing efficiency in transportation infrastructure development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 17, 2025

LC 4341: Generally revise accessibility laws related to trails/roads

This bill revises Montana's recreational trail and road access laws to create a special pass for individuals who cannot walk or traverse paths safely without assistance. It requires the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to categorize all public trails into three classes based on accessibility for motorized wheelchairs and establishes a $5 nontransferable recreation pass for people with permanent physical or mental disabilities who use motorized equipment. The pass allows unlimited use of state recreational trails and roads where motorized equipment is permitted, with fees deposited into a dedicated account and application requiring physician certification of nonambulatory status. The bill also sets specific penalties for violations, including fines for failing to display the pass or making false statements during application.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill improves accessibility of trails and roads for disabled individuals, enhancing transportation infrastructure and safety for vulnerable users.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 432: Generally revise utility laws

SB 432 revises Montana's utility relocation laws by clarifying definitions related to infrastructure moving costs and expanding the scope of covered services. It specifically defines "cost of relocation" to exclude engineering expenses and broadens "utility" to include water/sewer systems, cable providers, and broadband services. This bill directly affects utilities needing to relocate infrastructure (like pipes or poles) for highway projects, ensuring clearer cost calculations and broader service coverage under state law.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExplicitly broadens 'utility' to include broadband services, ensuring infrastructure relocation costs don't hinder broadband deployment, directly supporting internet access expansion.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationClarifies utility relocation costs for highway projects, facilitating transportation infrastructure development by streamlining infrastructure moves during road construction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Roads & Highways

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 454: Revise tow truck regulation laws

SB 454 proposes significant revisions to Montana's commercial tow truck regulations. It establishes new classification standards for tow trucks (Classes A-E) based on equipment capacity and chassis requirements, replacing previous ratings. The bill also mandates certification for operators (75% of employees for companies, or 1 year of experience for individuals), requires equipment to meet updated safety standards, and clarifies requirements for participating in the law enforcement rotation system. These changes directly affect tow truck operators, companies, and the Montana Highway Patrol, which oversees inspections and classification. The bill was introduced in 2025 but died in committee without becoming law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires updated safety standards for tow truck equipment, strengthening workplace safety for operators.80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationUpdates tow truck safety standards and operator certification, enhancing vehicle regulation compliance within transportation infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing Roads & Highways

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signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 159: Revise rural improvement district laws to include maintenance of existing public improvements

HB 159 revises Montana's rural improvement district laws to explicitly allow districts to be created for maintaining existing public improvements (like roads or drainage systems), not just building new ones. It simplifies the process by removing the need for a petition if all property owners within the proposed district waive their right to protest its creation. The bill also adjusts petition requirements for road maintenance districts, requiring only 50% consent of property area if all roads to be maintained are public improvements. This directly affects rural property owners and county commissioners by making it easier to form districts focused on upkeep rather than new construction.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly allows rural districts to maintain existing roads/drainage systems, directly supporting transportation infrastructure upkeep by simplifying maintenance processes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 3: Supplemental Appropriations Bill

HB 3 is a funding bill that allocates specific amounts to Montana state agencies for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and continues some funding into the 2025-2026 biennium. It provides $22.2 million to the Public Health and Human Services Division, $12.5 million to the State Public Defender's Conflict Division, $4.07 million to the Montana Highway Patrol, and other sums to agencies like Revenue, Corrections, and Fish and Wildlife. The bill directs these funds for existing agency operations, with unspent balances reverting to their respective funds. It became law immediately upon the governor's signature on April 7, 2025, without requiring additional legislative action. This is a routine budget measure affecting state agency operations, not a policy change impacting citizens.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $22.2M to Public Health, $12.5M to Public Defender, and other funds for essential state operations, directly supporting budget allocation and fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $12.5M to State Public Defender's Conflict Division, directly funding indigent defense and defendants' rights in criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $4.07M to Montana Highway Patrol (transportation safety agency) for road safety operations, directly funding transportation infrastructure maintenance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Roads & Highways

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

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 30, 2025

LC 1608: Generally revise conservation financing laws

Montana's LC 1608 establishes a Habitat Legacy Account funded by marijuana revenue to support wildlife conservation. It allocates 75% of annual funds to the Land and Wildlife Stewardship Account for habitat acquisition, 20% to the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Account for projects, and 5% to the Big Game Highway Crossings Account for wildlife crossing infrastructure. If the Stewardship Account exceeds $50 million in unused funds, allocations shift to 80% for improvement projects and 20% for crossings. The Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks administers all accounts, with funds restricted to specific conservation purposes like habitat protection, wildlife projects, and highway crossing design.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds wildlife conservation via dedicated marijuana tax revenue, creating new appropriations for environmental programs per bill's allocation structure.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds wildlife conservation via dedicated accounts for habitat acquisition, improvement, and infrastructure, directly advancing environmental protection through specific allocations.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates 5% of funds to Big Game Highway Crossings Account for wildlife crossing infrastructure, directly funding transportation safety projects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife Roads & Highways

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 615: Revise allocations of coal trust revenue

HB 615 revises how interest earned from the coal severance tax permanent fund is distributed to state programs. The bill specifically allocates $2 million to the Department of Justice to partially fund highway patrol officers' salaries. It also extends the termination date for several existing appropriations from this fund, pushing them from June 2027 to June 2029. These extended appropriations continue to support programs related to agriculture, commerce, and highway services, affecting various state agencies and the public services they provide.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2M from coal trust fund to highway patrol salaries and extends existing appropriations for agriculture/commerce/highway programs, directly funding state budget priorities.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $2M to highway patrol salaries and extends highway service funding, directly supporting transportation infrastructure and safety through dedicated appropriations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 30, 2025

LC 2474: Prohibit overnight camping on state highway right-of-way

Montana's Bill LC 2474 prohibits overnight camping (between dusk and dawn) and storing personal property on state highway right-of-way, including roads, shoulders, ditches, and adjacent areas. It directly affects individuals who camp or leave belongings unattended overnight on highways, with exceptions for emergencies, authorized workers, and designated rest areas (max 24 hours). Enforcement allows law enforcement to issue 72-hour removal notices, impose $50 civil fines for non-compliance, and dispose of unattended property after 120 hours' notice. The bill includes a $15,000 appropriation for implementation and defines key terms like "campsite" and "right-of-way" to clarify scope.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits overnight camping on highways to maintain clear right-of-way, enhancing transportation safety and infrastructure functionality.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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