Transportation

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 345: Revise MDT and transportation commission roles in transit

HB 345 clarifies the roles of the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and the transportation commission concerning transit funding. The bill specifies that the MDT will be responsible for allocating federal transit administration funds, freight assistance funds, and other legislative appropriations. These funds are designated for the study, design, construction, repair, or improvement of rail or transit intermodal transportation systems. This change shifts the authority for allocating these specific funds from the commission to the department.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates federal transit funds for infrastructure improvements (study, design, construction, repair) of rail/transit systems, clarifying MDT's role in funding allocation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 672: Generally revise Montana department of transportation’s utility relocation process

HB 672 revises the process for relocating utility and nonutility facilities during highway construction projects in Montana, directly affecting the Department of Transportation (DOT) and facility owners. The bill grants the DOT new rulemaking authority to establish timelines and standards for these relocations. It allows the department to reduce its reimbursement for relocation costs if facilities are not moved promptly after notice, and permits the DOT to remove facilities that are not relocated in a reasonable time or not installed according to permit. The bill also provides limited liability protection for the department during these removals and adjusts reimbursement percentages for publicly owned water and sewer facilities.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill streamlines utility relocation during highway projects, granting DOT authority to set timelines and enforce prompt action, supporting efficient transportation infrastructure development.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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

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

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 312: Revise speed limit laws

HB 312 revises speed limit laws for drivers in Montana. The bill increases the daytime speed limit to 75 miles per hour and the nighttime speed limit to 70 miles per hour on national highways that have been expanded to four lanes and are at least 15 miles long, except in special speed zones. It also updates the penalty section to reflect these new speed limits, maintaining that minor speeding violations (up to 10 mph daytime or 5 mph nighttime) are generally not recorded against a driver's record, with specific exceptions for commercial drivers or high-speed violations on interstates.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill directly revises speed limits on highways (transportation infrastructure) per Traffic Regulations, advancing regulatory framework for road safety and efficiency.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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