Transportation (Airports)

This bill requires Montana state-funded airports to provide free services to light aircraft, which are defined as planes weighing 12,500 pounds or less. Under the new rules, these airports must allow light aircraft to land, taxi, park with tie downs for up to seven days, and access security areas with designated parking for at least four vehicles. The bill also prohibits airports from charging additional fees for these services unless the fees are clearly disclosed and agreed upon before each flight. This change directly affects airports receiving state funding and pilots operating small aircraft under Part 91 of federal regulations.

This bill allows Montana counties and consolidated city-counties to vote on whether to implement a local sales tax, which would be limited to a maximum rate of 4%. The tax would apply to specific goods and services like restaurant meals, alcoholic beverages, non-SNAP food items, airport landings, and outdoor guiding services, while exempting essentials such as medicine, medical supplies, pet food, and cleaning products. Any revenue collected from this tax must be used exclusively for property tax relief on primary residences and long-term rentals within the taxing area. Additionally, a portion of the state's lodging and rental car sales tax revenue would be distributed to counties that choose not to levy their own local option tax.

This bill prohibits any entity, including government agencies and private companies, from using Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data to calculate or collect fees from aircraft owners or operators flying within Montana. The law specifically applies to aircraft weighing 9,000 pounds or less that operate under standard general aviation regulations. ADS-B is an aviation technology that shares real-time information like location, altitude, and speed between aircraft and ground stations. The bill defines ADS-B as a two-part system, including ADS-B In and ADS-B Out, which provides data such as GPS location and weather information. This legislation aims to prevent the use of this surveillance data for billing purposes while establishing clear definitions for the technology involved.

This bill requires Montana airports that receive any public funding to provide free services to light aircraft, including landing, taxiing, and parking with tie downs for up to three days. It also mandates that these airports allow light aircraft access to secure areas for passengers and crew when applicable, without charging fees for these services. The law defines a light aircraft as one weighing less than 9,000 pounds that operates under specific federal regulations. Additionally, the bill prohibits charging additional fees for landing, taxiing, parking, or security unless those fees are clearly disclosed and agreed upon before each flight.

HB 570 requires Montana state-funded airports to provide free landing, taxiing, parking (up to 7 days), and security access for "light aircraft" (defined as aircraft under 12,500 pounds operating under standard FAA rules). It mandates that airports allow access through security fencing with designated parking for at least four vehicles. The bill prohibits additional fees for these services unless clearly posted and agreed to before flights. The bill was introduced in February 2025 but withdrawn before committee review.

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.