Transportation

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 423: Generally revise the route of the Lewis and Clark Highway

This bill revises the route of Montana's Lewis and Clark Highway specifically through Missoula, changing the path between South Higgins Avenue and Arthur Avenue north of 6th Street. It prohibits the highway from running through that residential area and requires the transportation department, with input from Missoula County and the city, to identify an alternate route that avoids residential neighborhoods. The rest of the highway route - connecting Idaho to Lolo, then to Missoula via U.S. Highway 93, and continuing east to North Dakota - remains unchanged. The bill directly affects Missoula residents in the affected neighborhoods and transportation planning officials.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill revises Lewis and Clark Highway route to avoid residential areas, improving transportation infrastructure planning by minimizing community disruption.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 454: Revise tow truck regulation laws

SB 454 proposes significant revisions to Montana's commercial tow truck regulations. It establishes new classification standards for tow trucks (Classes A-E) based on equipment capacity and chassis requirements, replacing previous ratings. The bill also mandates certification for operators (75% of employees for companies, or 1 year of experience for individuals), requires equipment to meet updated safety standards, and clarifies requirements for participating in the law enforcement rotation system. These changes directly affect tow truck operators, companies, and the Montana Highway Patrol, which oversees inspections and classification. The bill was introduced in 2025 but died in committee without becoming law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires updated safety standards for tow truck equipment, strengthening workplace safety for operators.80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationUpdates tow truck safety standards and operator certification, enhancing vehicle regulation compliance within transportation infrastructure.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 359: Revise traffic laws related to distracted driving

SB 359 would have prohibited holding or using handheld mobile devices while driving in Montana, including texting, watching videos, or recording content, except for hands-free navigation or voice calls. It would have required drivers to use hands-free devices for calls and navigation, with exceptions for emergency vehicles, law enforcement, and work-related radio use. Violations would have carried civil penalties of $75-$149 for a first offense and $150-$250 for repeat offenses. The bill aimed to reduce distracted driving by clarifying restrictions on device use and defining terms like "portable wireless communication device" in Montana law.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits distracted driving to enhance road safety, directly strengthening transportation safety standards under Transportation subject.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 455: Revise highway and roadside service laws

SB 455 would prohibit towing companies and tow truck operators from soliciting services at accident scenes or near disabled vehicles. It requires written proof of service requests (including vehicle details, timestamps, and requester information) and imposes fines and suspension penalties for violations, with escalating penalties for repeat offenses. The bill directly affects towing businesses, vehicle owners, and law enforcement (who must maintain records for 3 years and can request documentation within 48 hours). It amends existing towing regulations to prioritize safety and transparency, though it died in committee on May 23, 2025, and is not law.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRegulates towing services to prevent exploitation at accident scenes, requiring documentation and imposing penalties for violations, enhancing roadside safety and accountability under transportation safety standards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 387: Generally revise electric bicycle laws

Senate Bill 387 aimed to revise state laws concerning electrically assisted bicycles. The bill proposed providing specific definitions for these types of bicycles and amending existing sections of state law, including 61-1-101 and 61-8-102, MCA. This legislation sought to clarify how electrically assisted bicycles are classified and regulated within the state.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill clarifies e-bike regulations under Transportation/Motor Vehicles, promoting sustainable transportation by establishing clear legal definitions and classifications for electrically assisted bicycles.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 327: Revise motor vehicle registration fees

SB 327 does not change motor vehicle registration fees themselves but revises the formula for distributing revenue from vehicle-related fees to local governments. It amends Montana law (sections 15-1-121, 15-1-122, 61-3-321, and 61-3-562) to adjust how entitlement share payments are calculated for counties, cities, and towns. The bill updates the growth rate calculation for these payments, basing it on specific state revenue sources like vehicle fees (from section 61-3-321) and income taxes, rather than using the previous method. This directly affects all local governments receiving these annual revenue distributions. The bill was referred to the Taxation committee and died in committee in May 2025.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRevises revenue distribution formula for vehicle fees to ensure local governments receive funds for transportation infrastructure projects, maintaining existing funding streams.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 731: Revise laws related to airports and light aircraft

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.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates publicly funded airports to provide free services for light aircraft, enhancing transportation infrastructure access and accessibility.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 11: Providing grants and appropriations through the Montana coal endowment program

HB 11 appropriates money from the Montana coal endowment special revenue account to the Department of Commerce for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025. This bill authorizes over $20 million in grants for specific water and wastewater infrastructure projects in various towns, cities, and water/sewer districts across Montana. Additionally, it allocates over $3.5 million for bridge projects in several counties. The grants are conditional upon recipients meeting specified requirements and the availability of funds, with deadlines for project completion to maintain eligibility.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $23.5M from coal endowment for infrastructure projects, directly funding public services via state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $3.5M for bridge projects, directly funding transportation infrastructure (bridges are part of road/highway systems).90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Transportation