Transportation

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 22, 2025

LC 1951: Prohibit motorboats and motorized watercraft on Class 2 waters

This bill prohibits the use of motorboats and personal watercraft on Class II waters in Montana, affecting public access to these designated waterways. The key provision adds a new restriction to existing state law that specifically bans motorized watercraft on Class II waters, while maintaining public rights to non-motorized recreation like kayaking or canoeing. The legislation also clarifies that public recreational use of Class II waters does not include overnight camping, big game hunting, or placing seasonal objects without landowner permission. Additionally, the bill requires the state commission to adopt rules for managing recreational use of Class I and II waters, including procedures for requesting restrictions and identifying waters with limited recreational capacity.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibiting motorboats on Class II waters reduces pollution and protects aquatic ecosystems, aligning with environmental conservation goals.85% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill restricts motorized watercraft on Class II waters, limiting transportation options for recreational boating and reducing access to waterways.85% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 11, 2025

LC 2472: Eliminate the Scenic-Historic Byways Advisory Council

This bill eliminates the Scenic-Historic Byways Advisory Council in Montana, which was previously responsible for advising on the scenic and historic road designation program. The legislation removes the requirement for the state commission to appoint this council and deletes its related funding provisions. The bill directly affects the state Department of Transportation and the Montana Transportation Commission by ending the council's role in reviewing road nominations and recommending designations. While the advisory council is removed, the bill retains the core program that allows the commission to designate scenic-historic roads with local government concurrence. The amended rules still require the department to establish criteria for road designation, including considerations for local economic development, resource protection, and private property rights.

Topics ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill eliminates a transportation advisory council and removes related funding, weakening the scenic-historic road designation program.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 14, 2025

LC 1987: Limit liability of agricultural vehicles

This bill limits the liability of owners, lessees, and operators of agricultural vehicles used on highways, capping their financial responsibility at $750,000 per claim and $1.5 million per occurrence. It defines agricultural vehicles to include farm tractors, implements of husbandry, self-propelled farm equipment, tractor-towed combinations, and vehicles used for hauling hay or straw. The legislation also amends existing state definitions to clarify terms related to agricultural operations, commercial motor vehicles, and other motor vehicle classifications. Insurance companies are prohibited from claiming the liability limitation unless they voluntarily agree to provide additional coverage through a written endorsement.

Topics ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill limits liability for agricultural vehicles on highways, which restricts financial responsibility standards and weakens protections for road users in transportation contexts.85% confidence

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 550: Revise laws relating to automobile businesses and electric and hybrid vehicles

HB 550 aimed to revise motor vehicle laws concerning electric and hybrid vehicles. It would have prohibited automobile manufacturers and distributors from requiring new motor vehicle dealers to purchase or sell electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Any contractual clauses mandating such sales would have been considered void and against public policy. The bill also would have amended existing law to include this prohibition among other acts forbidden to manufacturers in their dealings with dealers.

Topics ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill prohibits manufacturers from requiring dealers to sell EVs, weakening mandates that would advance sustainable transportation adoption.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles

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died · Montana · Legislature May 24, 2025

LC 1175: Require super majority to pass voted mill levies

This proposed bill would have required a super majority (e.g., 60% or higher) of voters to approve local mill levies - taxes funding schools, roads, or services - instead of a simple majority. It would directly affect local governments and voters in communities seeking to raise funds through voter-approved levies. The bill never advanced beyond drafting, as its draft died in process on May 24, 2025, meaning no vote or enactment occurred. No concrete policy changes were implemented.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRequires 60%+ voter approval for mill levies, restricting local tax increases and limiting funding options for schools/roads, directly restricting tax approval process.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRequires super majority for school levies, increasing barriers to funding approval and restricting local education budget access.85% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill requires super majority for mill levies funding roads (transportation infrastructure), making it harder to secure funding for road projects. Thus restricts transportation funding access.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax School Funding

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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

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 3897: Prohibit state procurement of scrutinized electric vehicles

LC 3897 would have prohibited state agencies from purchasing electric vehicles (EVs) identified as "scrutinized" by the state. This bill directly affected state departments and agencies responsible for vehicle procurement, preventing them from acquiring EVs under specific scrutiny. The bill died in process on May 23, 2025, without becoming law, so no policy change was implemented.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill prohibits state procurement of scrutinized EVs, restricting adoption of renewable energy vehicles and impeding clean transportation infrastructure development.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentProhibits state procurement of EVs, directly restricting cleaner transportation adoption and undermining emissions reduction efforts.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationProhibits state procurement of scrutinized EVs, restricting adoption of electric vehicles in government fleets under Transportation subject.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

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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

died · Montana · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 124: Require bicycles to go opposite the flow of traffic

HB 124 would have required most bicycle riders on Montana roadways to travel *opposite* the direction of traffic flow, unless accompanied by a flag vehicle escort. This would have directly affected all cyclists riding on public roads without an escort, changing the standard practice of riding with traffic. The bill’s key provision would have mandated opposite-flow riding (facing oncoming vehicles) for unescorted cyclists, while allowing with-flow riding when a flag vehicle was present. It also aimed to repeal two existing Montana Code sections about bicycle traffic laws (61-8-602 and 61-8-605). Note: The bill was withdrawn on February 20, 2025, and is no longer active.

Topics ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationMandates cycling against traffic flow, contradicting standard safety practices that require riding with traffic, increasing accident risks and weakening transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure

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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

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Public Transit

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