Transportation

signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 433: Revise right-of-way laws for roundabouts

SB 433 revises right-of-way laws for drivers navigating roundabouts in Montana. It establishes that vehicles already in a roundabout have the right-of-way over those approaching it, which must yield. The bill creates specific provisions for towing vehicles, allowing them to deviate lanes for safe passage and requiring other drivers to yield and not pass them within or approaching a roundabout. If two towing vehicles enter a roundabout simultaneously, the vehicle to the left is granted the right-of-way.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationClarifies right-of-way rules in roundabouts to improve traffic safety and reduce collisions, directly advancing road infrastructure safety standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 380: Generally revise laws related to motor vehicle laws

SB 380 generally revises various motor vehicle laws, impacting drivers, vehicle owners, and the state department. The bill expands the recognition of driver's licenses and identifications to include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. It also revises disability parking permit application requirements, allowing licensed advanced practice registered nurses to issue interim permits. Further provisions update vehicle title, registration, and license plate laws, enable more electronic transactions with the department, and adjust the minimum age for driver's licenses and commercial driver's license expirations.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRevises motor vehicle laws to modernize registration, improve accessibility (disability permits), and expand license recognition, enhancing transportation safety and regulatory infrastructure.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

passed both · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HJ 35: Joint resolution urging changes to federal wildfire policy

HJ 35 is a joint resolution from the Montana Legislature urging federal officials to modify current federal land management and wildfire policies. It calls for an aggressive initial attack on wildfires across all federal lands and for federal forest roads to remain open for access and fire suppression. The resolution also recommends that EPA air quality standards include wildfire smoke and that federal "let it burn" policies be reversed, ensuring NEPA processes are followed. Finally, it advocates for increased involvement of state and local governments and stakeholder groups in federal fire management decisions to protect Montana's communities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAdvocates for EPA air quality standards including wildfire smoke and reversing 'let it burn' policies to protect natural resources and reduce pollution from wildfires.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill advocates including wildfire smoke in EPA air quality standards, a public health program, strengthening air quality measures affecting health.80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly urges federal forest roads to remain open for fire suppression access, directly supporting transportation infrastructure maintenance and access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

Track

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 387: Revise laws related to highway reconstruction

HB 387 revises the documents the Department of Transportation must file when establishing new or reconstructed highways. It amends current law to require the filing of a "right-of-way plan" instead of a "description and right-of-way plan." This clarifies that private property owners will not receive compensation for new buildings or improvements placed on land after the department files this right-of-way plan for a proposed highway. The bill also states that if no action to acquire the property begins within one year of filing, the highway location establishment becomes ineffective. This act takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationClarifies land acquisition process for highway projects, reducing delays/costs by eliminating post-plan compensation for new property improvements, enabling faster infrastructure development.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

passed both · Montana · Senate May 5, 2025

SJ 16: Joint resolution on automated vehicles

Senate Joint Resolution 16 is a resolution from the Montana Legislature urging the federal government to establish safety standards for automated vehicles. It specifically calls on the U.S. Congress and the federal Department of Transportation to adopt laws and rules ensuring these vehicles can operate safely in all weather conditions, including snow and ice, and all road conditions, such as mountain passes and open range areas. The resolution highlights Montana's unique challenges, such as a high rate of animal-related car crashes, as a particular concern for automated driving systems.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationUrges federal safety standards for automated vehicles in all weather/road conditions, enhancing transportation safety as per bill's explicit call for operational safety rules.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

Track

signed · Montana · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 111: Revising laws related to green lights on snow removal equipment

SB 111 revises state law to limit the use of green lights on public highways. The bill prohibits vehicles from displaying flashing, rotational, or continuous green lights while on a highway. It specifically authorizes the use of green lights for snow removal equipment operated by the Department of Transportation or other government entities. Additionally, police or authorized emergency vehicles serving as on-scene incident command or control vehicles are also permitted to use green lights. This bill directly affects vehicle operators and government entities by clarifying the legal use of green lights on roadways.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill regulates vehicle lights on highways for safety, aligning with transportation safety standards under Traffic Regulations.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 228: Revise laws related to public charging stations for electric vehicles

SB 228 revises laws related to public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, affecting EV owners and charging station operators. The bill imposes a 3-cent per kilowatt-hour tax on electricity delivered to public charging stations, with specific effective dates for new and existing stations. It mandates that all public charging stations install a separate electric meter, with the owner responsible for installation costs. Additionally, the bill eliminates a future 30% reduction in state registration fees for electric vehicles. Public charging station operators are also required to register with the state and disclose their charging rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 3-cent/kWh tax on EV charging stations, directly increasing tax revenue under taxation policy for transportation infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates EV charging infrastructure improvements with tax for regulation, supporting renewable energy adoption and clean transportation infrastructure expansion.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes regulations and funding mechanisms for EV charging infrastructure, directly promoting sustainable transportation adoption through public charging station requirements and tax structure.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 23: Increase thresholds for railroad accident reporting requirements

SB 23 revises railroad accident reporting requirements for companies operating in Montana. The bill amends current law to empower the Public Service Commission to adopt rules that set specific thresholds for when a railroad accident must be reported. This grants the Commission the authority to define the criteria for reportable incidents, rather than requiring companies to report every accident. The changes directly affect railroad companies operating in the state and the Public Service Commission.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill revises railroad accident reporting thresholds to empower safety-focused rule-making, enhancing transportation safety standards per subject 'Safety'.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 310: Revise the trail stewardship grant program

SB 310 revises and renames the existing trails and recreational facilities grant program as the "Trail Stewardship Grant Program." It directly affects cities, counties, tribal governments, school districts, recreational clubs, and state and federal agencies by expanding the types of projects eligible for funding. New eligible projects include trail-related studies, data collection, safety education, and equipment purchases and maintenance. The bill also specifies that grant funds will be apportioned for motorized, nonmotorized, and mixed-use projects, and allows for advance payments of up to 75% of awarded grant funds.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExpands funding for trail infrastructure projects (studies, safety, equipment) under Transportation subject, directly advancing transportation-related infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 3: Supplemental Appropriations Bill

HB 3 is a funding bill that allocates specific amounts to Montana state agencies for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and continues some funding into the 2025-2026 biennium. It provides $22.2 million to the Public Health and Human Services Division, $12.5 million to the State Public Defender's Conflict Division, $4.07 million to the Montana Highway Patrol, and other sums to agencies like Revenue, Corrections, and Fish and Wildlife. The bill directs these funds for existing agency operations, with unspent balances reverting to their respective funds. It became law immediately upon the governor's signature on April 7, 2025, without requiring additional legislative action. This is a routine budget measure affecting state agency operations, not a policy change impacting citizens.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $22.2M to Public Health, $12.5M to Public Defender, and other funds for essential state operations, directly supporting budget allocation and fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $12.5M to State Public Defender's Conflict Division, directly funding indigent defense and defendants' rights in criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $4.07M to Montana Highway Patrol (transportation safety agency) for road safety operations, directly funding transportation infrastructure maintenance.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation