Transportation (Driver Licensing)

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

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

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

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Vehicle Registration

died · Montana · Legislature May 22, 2025

LC 3985: Provide grants to cover fees for teen driver education programs

Bill LC 3985 proposed creating a grant program to cover fees for teen driver education programs. The bill aimed to provide financial assistance, making these programs more accessible for teenagers. By covering the costs of enrollment, it would directly benefit young individuals seeking to obtain a driver's license and their families.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates state-funded grants for driver education, directly allocating appropriations under State Finance and addressing education access via budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates grants to cover teen driver education fees, directly expanding access to an educational program categorized under 'Schools and Education' with explicit funding intent.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds teen driver education programs under Traffic Regulations/Motor Vehicles, directly enhancing transportation safety by improving driver competence and reducing accident risks.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety Vehicle Registration

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 3762: Generally revise electric transportation laws

Bill LC 3762, titled "Generally revise electric transportation laws," aimed to update state regulations governing electric vehicle infrastructure and incentives. The bill was drafted in December 2024 but was placed on hold and ultimately died in the legislative process on May 23, 2025. As a result, no specific policy changes were enacted, and the proposed revisions to electric transportation rules were never implemented. The available context does not include the bill's full text or detailed provisions.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill aimed to update electric vehicle infrastructure regulations, directly promoting renewable transportation infrastructure and clean energy adoption per its title and summary.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill aimed to update electric vehicle infrastructure and incentives, promoting clean transportation to reduce emissions, directly advancing environmental goals.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill aimed to update EV infrastructure regulations and incentives, promoting sustainable transportation policies per its title and summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Driver Licensing Electric Vehicles Vehicle Registration

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 3495: Allow autonomous trucks and automobiles to operate with restrictions in Montana

Bill LC 3495, titled "Allow autonomous trucks and automobiles to operate with restrictions in Montana," proposed to permit self-driving vehicles on Montana roads under specific safety conditions. It would have directly affected drivers, trucking companies, and state transportation regulators by establishing a legal framework for autonomous vehicle operation. However, the bill died in the legislative process in May 2025 after being assigned a drafter in December 2024, meaning it never became law. Montana's existing regulations on autonomous vehicles remained unchanged as a result.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly permits autonomous vehicle operation under safety conditions, directly enabling tech adoption in transportation and listed under Information Technology subjects.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill permits autonomous vehicles on Montana roads under safety conditions, enabling new transportation technology and enhancing safety standards within transportation infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Autonomous Vehicles Driver Licensing Freight

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 2978: Generally revise electric vehicle laws

This bill (LC 2978) proposed revisions to existing electric vehicle (EV) laws but never became law. It was drafted in December 2024, placed on hold, and ultimately died in the legislative process on May 27, 2025. The bill did not advance to a vote or receive committee action. As a result, no changes to EV regulations were enacted through this proposal. The bill remains inactive with no current effect on EV laws or stakeholders.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill proposes revising EV laws to update regulations, aligning with sustainable transportation goals. Subjects include Transportation and Motor Vehicles, indicating direct policy focus.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Electric Vehicles Vehicle Registration

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 1822: Generally revise bicycle laws

Bill LC 1822, titled "Generally revise bicycle laws," aimed to update state regulations governing bicycle use, which would have directly affected cyclists, local governments managing infrastructure, and law enforcement handling traffic enforcement. The bill was drafted and assigned to a drafter in November 2024 but died in the legislative process without advancing to committee or floor votes in May 2025. As a result, no specific policy changes were enacted, and the existing bicycle laws remained unchanged. The bill's draft did not include detailed provisions, as it never progressed beyond initial drafting.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly revises bicycle laws to update regulations affecting cyclists and infrastructure, aligning with transportation safety improvements. No enactment, but intent was supportive.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Driver Licensing Pedestrian Safety

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 3167: Establish public transportation commission to study public transportation

This bill (LC 3167) proposed creating a public transportation commission to study current public transit systems and identify potential improvements. It would have directed the commission to examine service coverage, funding, and accessibility issues affecting riders. However, the bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage, as it "died in process" on May 27, 2025, meaning it was not introduced or voted on by the legislature. No concrete policy changes were enacted through this proposal.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill proposes commission to study and improve public transit systems, indicating intent to strengthen transportation infrastructure despite not passing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Public Transit Transportation Funding

Track

signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 67: Provide for the use of autonomous vehicles

Senate Bill 67, titled the "Montana Automated Driving Systems Act," allows vehicles equipped with automated driving systems to be used on the public highways of Montana. The bill defines various levels of these systems, from Level 1 (driver assistance) to Level 5 (full automation). It permits Level 1, 2, and 3 automated driving systems without additional restrictions. However, Level 4 and 5 systems are allowed subject to limitations established by the Department of Transportation through rulemaking, which is also granted by the bill. This legislation creates a framework for the use and regulation of autonomous vehicles in the state.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnables autonomous vehicle use on highways, defining system levels to advance transportation technology and safety standards per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Autonomous Vehicles Driver Licensing Electric Vehicles