Transportation (Transportation Funding)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 28, 2025

LC 1515: Revise MDT and transportation commission roles in transit

This bill clarifies the division of responsibilities between Montana's Department of Transportation and the Transportation Commission regarding transit funding. It authorizes the Department to allocate federal transit and freight assistance funds for rail and transit projects, while allowing the Commission to transfer federal funds between highway and transit programs. Additionally, the bill permits the Commission to delegate its funding responsibilities to the Department. These changes aim to streamline how transportation funds are managed and distributed across different transit-related initiatives.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill clarifies and expands MDT's ability to allocate transit and freight funds, strengthening transportation infrastructure and funding mechanisms.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Freight Rail Transportation Funding

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 20, 2025

LC 665: Joint resolution to study public transportation

This Montana joint resolution directs the Legislative Council to conduct an interim study on improving passenger transportation and public transit services across the state. The study will examine options for enhancing rail, air, bus, and public transit systems, with a specific focus on underserved communities like the Hi-Line region and the potential need for a dedicated passenger transportation commission. Additionally, the resolution requires the study to review laws related to autonomous vehicles and determine if updates are needed for safety and licensing. All findings and recommendations must be completed by September 15, 2026, and reported to the next legislature.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill directs study to improve public transportation and examine options for enhancing rail, air, bus, and transit systems, indicating intent to strengthen transportation infrastructure.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Autonomous Vehicles Public Transit Transportation Funding

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Nov 18, 2024

LC 236: Creating a railroad track inspection program

This bill creates a Montana Rail Inspection Program by directing eight percent of state railroad taxes into a dedicated special revenue account to fund track safety inspections. The legislation establishes permanent funding through statutory appropriation, meaning the money is automatically allocated without requiring annual legislative approval. It also grants the state agency responsible for rail safety rulemaking authority and requires regular reporting on inspection activities. The changes directly affect state agencies managing railroad infrastructure and the railroad industry operating within Montana.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs 8% of railroad taxes to fund track safety inspections, establishing permanent funding for essential public safety infrastructure through statutory appropriation.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill improves workplace safety for railroad workers through dedicated funding for track inspections, directly addressing workplace safety standards.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates dedicated funding for railroad track safety inspections, enhancing transportation infrastructure safety through permanent state funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges Rail Transportation Funding

Track

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

Track

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

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 163: Revise urban transportation district laws

This bill updates Montana's laws governing urban transportation districts by clarifying how district boards are selected and how property can be added or removed from these districts. It requires local governments to decide whether transportation board members are elected or appointed, and if elected, establishes rules for holding public elections and filling vacancies. The bill also prohibits local governments from forcing property owners to add their land to a district as a condition of development, requires districts to maintain clear maps showing district boundaries, and allows areas that have not received direct transportation service for five years to be removed from the district without being held responsible for the district's existing debt.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill clarifies urban transportation district laws and election processes, strengthening local governance of transportation infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Transportation Funding

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 25, 2025

LC 3696: Revise distribution of revenue for local government roads

This bill revises how Montana distributes state revenue for local road construction and maintenance among counties, cities, towns, and consolidated city-county governments. The key change is adding a new factor that allocates 25% of county funds and 20% of city/town funds based on daily vehicle miles traveled, while adjusting existing population and mileage-based formulas. Funds must be used for building, repairing, or maintaining rural roads and city streets, with specific rules for how consolidated city-county governments receive their share and how towns can use up to 25% of their allocation for equipment and supplies. The bill also clarifies how population and mileage data are calculated for distribution purposes and requires contracts over certain thresholds to follow standard bidding procedures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill revises revenue distribution to fund local road construction and maintenance, increasing funding for essential public infrastructure services.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill revises revenue distribution to fund local road construction and maintenance, directly supporting transportation infrastructure development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

Track

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

Track

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

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 1145: Establish ongoing GF transfers for infrastructure and pensions unless certain conditions are met

This bill (LC 1145) proposed establishing ongoing transfers from the state's General Fund to support infrastructure projects and pension funding, unless specific fiscal conditions were met. It aimed to create a sustained funding mechanism for these priorities without requiring annual legislative approval. However, the bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage, as it was placed on hold in November 2024 and ultimately died in process by May 2025. No further action or implementation occurred.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill proposes ongoing General Fund transfers for infrastructure/pensions, creating sustained funding without annual approval, aligning with funding essential public services and fiscal responsibility.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill proposes ongoing funding for infrastructure projects, directly supporting transportation infrastructure priorities like roads and transit systems, despite never advancing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Pensions State Budget Transportation Funding

Track