HB 924 creates the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust, funded by half of the state's unpredictable revenue (like capital gains or oil royalties) starting in 2027. Interest income from the trust is split: half distributes $15 million annually to five specific programs (disaster resiliency, property tax relief, water development, bridge repairs, and early childhood care), while the other half reinvests in pension funds and housing infrastructure. The bill establishes new accounts for these programs and sets rules for calculating volatile revenue using historical data to stabilize budgeting. It directly affects state budgeting, early childhood services, infrastructure projects, and pension systems through mandatory funding allocations.
HB 731 requires airports that receive public funding to provide specific services to light aircraft at no cost. These services include allowing light aircraft to land, taxi, and park with tie-downs for up to three days. Publicly funded airports must also provide access for passengers and aircrew through security fencing. The bill defines "light aircraft" as those weighing less than 9,000 pounds operating under a specific federal regulation.
HB 405 proposed to increase the maximum reimbursement rates that school districts receive from state and county sources for student transportation. The bill specifically raised the per-mile rates for school buses of different passenger capacities, as well as for non-bus mileage. The intent was to lower school district property taxes designated for transportation expenses. These changes would have applied to school district transportation budgets starting July 1, 2025.
HB 103 aimed to establish a Montana Rail Inspection Program to supervise and inspect railroads operating within the state. The bill proposed creating a dedicated Montana rail inspection account in the state special revenue fund. This account would be funded by diverting 8% of taxes collected from railroad car company property. The program was mandated to employ specific inspectors for motive power, equipment, track, and operating practices, along with administrative staff.
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.
HB 951 proposed a one-time transfer of $30 million from the state's general fund to the local road and bridge account. This action would have directed the state treasurer to complete the transfer by July 15, 2025. The funds were intended to support local road and bridge projects throughout the state, benefiting communities and their infrastructure.
SB 553 introduces new policies concerning residential development, airline travel, and legislative committees. It allows local governments to establish rules for residential developers to share costs for extending or enhancing capital facilities or intersection improvements. The bill also prohibits expiration dates on airline travel credits, assigns ownership to the possessor, limits associated fees, and allows for cash redemption of small remaining balances. Additionally, it establishes a $1 fee on airline tickets for travel to or from Montana, with the collected revenue designated to combat human trafficking.
House Bill 855 establishes a dedicated funding mechanism for projects aimed at reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions across Montana. It authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Commission to create a specialty license plate, with a $20 donation from its sale and renewal deposited into a new "Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodations Account." Funds in this account, which also accepts gifts and grants, are statutorily appropriated to the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. These funds will be used for the design, construction, maintenance, and study of wildlife crossings and related accommodations on state roadways, improving safety for both drivers and wildlife.
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.
SB 508 revises Montana's driving under the influence (DUI) laws concerning tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for younger drivers. This bill establishes that for individuals under 21 years of age, having any detectable amount of THC in their system constitutes a DUI offense. This means there is no specific THC concentration threshold for drivers under 21, unlike the 5 ng/ml limit for adult drivers. The change applies to any amount of THC, excluding inactive metabolites, found in a driver under 21.
