Transportation (Transportation Funding)

died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 2749: Establish program to allow private donations to help pay for public infrastructure

This bill (LC 2749) proposed creating a formal program to accept private donations for public infrastructure projects like roads and bridges. It would have allowed businesses or individuals to contribute funds directly to government infrastructure budgets, with the program administered by relevant state agencies. The bill directly affected state transportation departments and private donors seeking to support public works. However, the bill died in the legislative process on May 27, 2025, and was never enacted into law.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill proposes private donations for road/bridge infrastructure funding, directly advancing transportation project financing through new revenue streams.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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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

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 2600: Require counties to prepare list of county road segments and budget for construction and maintenance by road segment

Bill LC 2600 would have required counties to create and maintain a detailed list of all county road segments, along with separate budgets for construction and maintenance for each segment. This would directly affect all county governments by mandating greater transparency in how road funds are allocated and spent. The key mechanism would be the annual reporting of these road-specific lists and budgets to state oversight bodies. The bill died in committee on May 27, 2025, and was never enacted into law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires counties to detail road segment budgets for transparency, promoting fiscal accountability in fund allocation per fiscal management topic.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires counties to detail road segment budgets for transparency, enhancing infrastructure accountability and proper fund allocation for transportation maintenance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 773: Revise laws related to metropolitan planning orgs and transportation planning

HB 773, known as "Noah's Act," aimed to streamline transportation planning by reducing redundant reviews for certain projects. It would have eliminated the need for the Transportation Commission to re-review long-range transportation plans and associated projects that were already adopted by Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and approved by the Department of Transportation. Instead, these projects, including urban street and nonoperational safety improvements, would be approved by a department district administrator. For communities without MPOs, department district administrators would also gain authority to approve smaller projects without Commission approval, intending to enhance local transportation efficiency.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStreamlines transportation planning by eliminating redundant reviews, advancing project approvals for infrastructure and safety improvements without reducing funding or standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety Transportation Funding Vehicle Registration

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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

Sub-Topics Freight Rail Transportation Funding

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 784: Revise distribution of revenue for local government roads

House Bill 784 proposed to revise the method for distributing state revenue to Montana's local governments for road construction and maintenance. The bill introduced "daily vehicle miles traveled" as a new factor in the funding allocation formula for counties, cities, and towns. Consequently, it would have reduced the percentage weight of existing factors such as rural road mileage, population, land area, and street mileage in determining each local government's share. These changes aimed to adjust how counties, cities, and towns receive funds to maintain their local roads and streets, with an effective date of July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill revises road funding formula to prioritize vehicle miles traveled, aiming to improve infrastructure allocation for transportation needs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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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

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Transportation Funding Vehicle Registration

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 405: Increase on-schedule reimbursement rates for school transportation

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases state reimbursement to lower school district property taxes, providing direct tax relief for local communities.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases state reimbursement rates for school transportation, reducing district costs and supporting school finance under education funding.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases reimbursement rates for school bus transportation infrastructure, directly funding school district transportation operations per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding School Transportation Public Transit Transportation Funding

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 172: Revise laws for prioritization of highway projects

House Bill 172 revises the process for prioritizing highway construction and reconstruction projects. It requires the Transportation Interim Committee to prepare a joint resolution for each legislative session, recommending specific projects for the Transportation Commission to prioritize. The bill also mandates that the Transportation Commission report biennially to the committee on the status of these recommended projects, explaining any reasons why a project was not prioritized. The Department of Transportation is tasked with assisting the Commission in considering these legislative recommendations.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes process to prioritize highway projects and mandates status reports, advancing infrastructure management and ensuring project progression.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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