Transportation

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 8, 2025

LC 2215: Revise laws for prioritization of highway projects

This bill requires Montana's Transportation Interim Committee to prepare a joint resolution recommending specific highway construction and reconstruction projects for prioritization each legislative session. It mandates that the Transportation Commission report biennially to the committee on the status of these recommended projects and explain any decisions not to prioritize them based on technical, financial, and other factors. The Department of Transportation is also required to assist the Commission by providing information and documents to help evaluate these legislatively recommended projects.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes systematic prioritization for highway construction and reconstruction projects, strengthening transportation infrastructure planning and oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 10, 2025

LC 3335: Establish the Jim Loud Thunder Gopher memorial highway

This bill establishes the Jim Loud Thunder Gopher Memorial Highway on a section of existing road in Great Falls, Montana, named in honor of a tribal community organizer and spiritual practitioner. The legislation directs the Department of Transportation to install appropriate signage for the memorial highway and update state maps to include this designation. The bill honors Jim Loud Thunder Gopher, a member of the Little Shell Tribe who advocated for Native American land rights and promoted voter registration and agricultural employment. The memorial highway designation applies specifically to the northwest bypass and Vaughn road between 14th Street and 27th Street northwest in Great Falls.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes a memorial highway designation and directs DOT to install signage and update maps, directly involving transportation infrastructure and road naming.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 1344: Joint resolution on automated vehicles

This Montana joint resolution urges the federal government to establish safety standards for automated vehicles that ensure safe operation in all weather and road conditions. The bill specifically requests that federal regulations require these vehicles to function safely in snow, ice, mountain passes, and open range roads common in Montana. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to federal lawmakers and transportation officials to advocate for these safety requirements. The measure does not change state laws but serves as a formal request for federal action on vehicle automation safety.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill advocates for enhanced safety standards for automated vehicles in Montana's specific road conditions, strengthening transportation safety regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Autonomous Vehicles Roads & Highways

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 9, 2025

LC 2532: Revise rural improvement district laws to include maintenance of existing public improvements

This bill updates Montana's rural improvement district laws to allow these districts to be created specifically for maintaining existing public improvements like roads. It changes how districts are formed by removing the requirement for a formal petition when all property owners in the area waive their right to protest, and it lowers the consent threshold for road maintenance districts to either 85% of property area or 50% if all roads are already public. The legislation also clarifies how rural improvement districts can include properties inside city limits and streamlines the process for combining different types of improvements in a single district. These changes affect rural property owners, county commissioners, and local governments by making it easier to establish and manage districts for infrastructure maintenance.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill expands rural district powers to maintain existing public roads, directly advancing transportation infrastructure through improved maintenance capabilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 21, 2025

LC 2857: Define public purpose of easements on state lands

This bill clarifies the specific purposes for which easements can be granted on Montana state lands, affecting entities seeking to use state property for public and private infrastructure. It updates existing statutes to explicitly list allowed uses including public trails, parks, cemeteries, utility lines, and private access roads that existed before 1997, while also adding special provisions for certain conservation areas and nonprofit organizations. The legislation streamlines application requirements by allowing certain projects like power lines and water systems to use less detailed surveys, while maintaining stricter survey standards for other types of easements to ensure accurate land descriptions.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill clarifies easement purposes on state lands including public trails and private access roads, facilitating transportation infrastructure development on state property.75% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 11, 2025

LC 1051: Revise sales tax laws to provide for local option tax

This bill allows Montana counties and consolidated city-counties to vote on whether to implement a local sales tax, which would be limited to a maximum rate of 4%. The tax would apply to specific goods and services like restaurant meals, alcoholic beverages, non-SNAP food items, airport landings, and outdoor guiding services, while exempting essentials such as medicine, medical supplies, pet food, and cleaning products. Any revenue collected from this tax must be used exclusively for property tax relief on primary residences and long-term rentals within the taxing area. Additionally, a portion of the state's lodging and rental car sales tax revenue would be distributed to counties that choose not to levy their own local option tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new local revenue source for counties to fund property tax relief and essential services, directly advancing local budget capacity.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill exempts medicine and medical supplies from sales tax, reducing out-of-pocket costs for healthcare expenses.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allows counties to implement sales tax on airport landings and outdoor guiding services, with revenue potentially funding transportation infrastructure projects.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Airports

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 18, 2025

LC 3060: Provide funding for regional rail authorities

This bill creates a dedicated funding account for regional rail authorities in Montana by allocating a portion of rental car sales and use tax revenue. The money will be distributed annually by the Department of Transportation to rail authorities established before January 1, 2025, and can be used for administrative costs, matching federal grants, and developing cooperative transportation relationships. Funds may also support planning, designing, and operating rail projects that improve safety and connectivity between train stations, airports, roads, and other transit systems, including exploring north-south rail service corridors. The legislation amends existing state statutes to establish these distribution requirements and funding purposes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates dedicated funding account for rail authorities using sales tax revenue, advancing transportation infrastructure and public services through increased appropriations.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates dedicated funding for regional rail authorities to support rail projects, safety improvements, and administrative costs95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Rail Transportation Funding

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 10, 2025

LC 661: Revising insurance laws regarding uninsured, underinsured motorists

This bill updates Montana's insurance laws to require all motor vehicle liability policies to include underinsured motorist coverage alongside existing uninsured motorist coverage, allowing drivers to accept or reject this additional protection in writing. It specifically defines underinsured motor vehicles as those with liability limits lower than the damages an injured person can legally recover, ensuring broader protection for accident victims. The legislation also strengthens insurance requirements for ride-sharing drivers and their platforms, mandating specific coverage limits while logged on or during prearranged rides and clarifying how claims are handled between driver and platform insurance.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances motor vehicle safety by requiring underinsured motorist coverage, protecting accident victims and improving overall transportation safety standards.75% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 21, 2025

LC 3267: Joint resolution regarding funding for Montana Canada customs ports of entry

This bill is a joint resolution from the Montana Legislature requesting the federal government to increase operating hours at Montana-Canada customs ports of entry. It directly affects cross-border travelers, businesses, and communities that rely on trade and travel between Montana and Canada. The resolution cites concerns that reduced service hours have hindered commerce and the movement of people for work, leisure, sports, and family visits. It highlights the strong economic relationship between the states, noting Montana exports over $1.2 billion annually to Canada. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to the U.S. President and Montana's congressional delegation.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill seeks to increase operating hours at customs ports, improving cross-border transportation and trade flow75% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 135: Generally revise county speed limits

This bill amends Montana law to clarify how local authorities and county commissioners can set speed limits on roads within their jurisdiction. It allows local officials to adjust speed limits based on engineering and traffic studies, with specific rules for urban areas, rural roads, school zones, and senior citizen centers. County commissioners can set limits on county roads without requiring a formal engineering study, while local authorities must consult with school officials when establishing school zones. The bill also clarifies that variable speed limits are permitted if they comply with existing state regulations and that violations of these limits remain misdemeanor offenses.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill clarifies and expands local authority to set speed limits based on engineering studies, enhancing traffic safety and transportation regulation.85% confidence

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