Transportation

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

HJ 3: Joint resolution on Bowman's Corner

House Joint Resolution 3 (HJ 3) is a legislative measure that recommends the Montana Transportation Commission prioritize specific projects. It urges the Commission to focus on safety improvements at the intersection of U.S. Highway 287 and Montana Highway 200, commonly known as Bowman's Corner. This resolution serves as a recommendation from the Legislature to the Commission regarding highway construction and reconstruction project prioritization.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationUrges prioritization of safety improvements at Bowman's Corner intersection, directly advancing transportation safety standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 849: Provide for special motorcycle plates promoting motorcycle safety

HB 849 establishes a new special motorcycle license plate for Montana residents who own motorcycles or quadricycles. Owners choosing this plate will pay a total fee, which includes a $20 donation. This donation fee is statutorily appropriated to the Department of Justice. The Department will use these funds to provide grants to Montana-based nonprofit organizations that promote motorcycle rider safety and awareness through education and outreach.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds motorcycle safety education via plate donation, directly advancing transportation safety through statutory appropriation for rider awareness programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 586: Generally revise child safety restraint system laws

HB 586 revises child safety restraint system laws, establishing new age-specific requirements for children traveling in motor vehicles. It mandates that children under 2 years use a rear-facing system, children aged 2-4 use a rear-facing or forward-facing system with a harness, and children aged 4-8 use a forward-facing system with a harness or a booster seat. Children 9 years or older, or those who have outgrown a booster, must use an adult safety belt. The bill also defines various restraint types and provides exemptions for certain vehicles like school buses or in emergency situations.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates age-specific vehicle safety restraints, strengthening traffic safety regulations under Transportation policy as explicitly listed in bill subjects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 483: Revise laws to reduce property taxes while preserving the current 95 school equalization mills

HB 483 aims to reduce property taxes by revising school funding laws, while preserving the existing 95 school equalization mills. The bill fixes state and county school equalization mills and vocational-technical education mills, and exempts school levies from general property tax increase limits. It also increases guaranteed tax base multipliers for fiscal year 2026 and raises state reimbursement rates for school transportation, which helps lower local property tax burdens. Additionally, the bill requires reports from the Office of Public Instruction and Department of Revenue on the impacts of property reappraisal on school funding and property taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly reduces property taxes through revised school funding laws, exempts school levies from tax limits, and raises state reimbursement rates to lower local property tax burdens while preserving school funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPreserves 95 school equalization mills and raises state reimbursement rates for school transportation, reducing local property tax burden while maintaining school funding stability.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly increases state reimbursement rates for school transportation, directly funding this transportation infrastructure component.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 764: Revise public transit laws

HB 764 revises public transit laws, affecting how urban transportation districts are established and the reach of municipal bus services. The bill allows a county commissioner to file a petition to create or enlarge an urban transportation district, offering an additional method to the existing elector-initiated process. It also permits municipal bus services to operate beyond the current 8-mile limit from a city's boundary if funded by external sources like the federal or state government, a nonprofit, or if fulfilling an interlocal agreement.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill expands public transit reach by allowing bus services beyond 8-mile limit with external funding and revises district establishment processes, directly advancing transportation infrastructure and services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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 264: Eliminate a defense to the vehicle noise statute

SB 264 amends Montana law concerning motor vehicle exhaust noise. This bill eliminates a specific legal defense for motor vehicle operators cited for exceeding the 95-decibel noise limit. Previously, a driver could not be convicted if they had reasonable grounds to believe their vehicle complied with the noise standard. With this change, that defense is no longer available to those charged with a violation.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEliminates defense for vehicle noise violations, strengthening enforcement of traffic safety regulations under Transportation subject.90% 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

passed both · Montana · House May 7, 2025

HJ 20: Joint resolution regarding funding for Montana Canada customs ports of entry

HJ 20 is a joint resolution from the Montana Legislature requesting the federal government to increase the hours of service at Montana-Canada customs ports of entry. This resolution aims to enhance trade and allow for increased cross-border travel, which the state legislature states has been impeded by recent reductions in service hours. It directly affects the federal government by formally communicating Montana's request and seeks to benefit businesses and individuals who engage in cross-border activities between Montana and Canada.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill requests increased customs port hours to enhance cross-border trade and travel, directly improving transportation infrastructure efficiency at Montana-Canada border points.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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