Transportation (Electric Vehicles)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 19, 2025

LC 1821: Generally revise electric bicycle laws

This bill revises Montana's electric bicycle laws by updating definitions and amending specific sections of the state's motor vehicle code. It directly affects vehicle owners, law enforcement, and transportation officials by clarifying terminology for various vehicle types. The key provision adds new definitions for terms like "authorized agent," "autocycle," and "commercial motor vehicle" to ensure consistent understanding across regulations. These changes aim to modernize the legal framework governing electric bicycles and related vehicles without altering existing operational rules.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill modernizes electric bicycle laws and clarifies vehicle definitions, improving transportation regulations and infrastructure clarity.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Electric Vehicles

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 17, 2025

LC 2357: Revise laws relating to automobile businesses and electric and hybrid vehicles

This bill prohibits automobile manufacturers, distributors, and related entities from requiring dealers to sell electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles. It declares such mandatory sales requirements against public policy and voids any contract provisions that violate this rule. The legislation also expands existing dealer protections by preventing manufacturers from coercing dealers into exclusive arrangements, forced advertising contributions, or specific vendor contracts without dealer choice. These changes aim to give dealers more freedom in how they operate their businesses and what vehicles they choose to sell.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes electric and hybrid vehicles, supports sustainable transportation, and protects dealer autonomy in vehicle sales.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 28, 2025

LC 1513: Revise laws related to public charging stations for electric vehicles

This bill updates Montana laws to regulate public charging stations for electric vehicles by establishing clear definitions, tax requirements, and metering standards. It directly affects charging station operators, owners, and public utilities by requiring new stations to have separate electric meters starting in 2023 and mandating that all existing public charging stations be metered by 2025. The legislation also introduces a 3-cent per kilowatt-hour tax on electricity used at public charging stations and requires operators to display charging rates at their sites. Additionally, the bill reduces electric vehicle registration fees by 30% beginning in 2028 and requires charging station owners to register their facilities with the Department of Transportation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill introduces new tax revenue through EV charging fees, strengthening state budget capacity for infrastructure development.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes electric vehicle charging infrastructure, supports renewable energy adoption, and establishes metering standards for public EV charging stations.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes electric vehicle infrastructure and clean energy adoption through charging station regulations and metering requirements, supporting environmental protection goals.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes infrastructure standards for EV charging stations, promoting sustainable transportation and modernizing public charging infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles Vehicle Registration

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 550: Revise laws relating to automobile businesses and electric and hybrid vehicles

HB 550 aimed to revise motor vehicle laws concerning electric and hybrid vehicles. It would have prohibited automobile manufacturers and distributors from requiring new motor vehicle dealers to purchase or sell electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Any contractual clauses mandating such sales would have been considered void and against public policy. The bill also would have amended existing law to include this prohibition among other acts forbidden to manufacturers in their dealings with dealers.

Topics ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill prohibits manufacturers from requiring dealers to sell EVs, weakening mandates that would advance sustainable transportation adoption.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles

Track

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HJ 8: Study resolution on EV taxation and fees

HJ 8 is a study resolution requesting an interim committee to examine Montana's electric vehicle (EV) registration fees and charging station taxes. It directly affects EV owners, who currently pay an annual fee $152.46 higher than the average gas vehicle owner's fuel tax. The resolution directs the committee to assess the fairness of these fees compared to gas vehicles, review other states' approaches, and develop a more equitable system to address road funding gaps. The study, required to report to the 70th Legislature by September 2026, died in process on May 22, 2025, and never became law.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill studies EV fee equity to address road funding gaps, aiming for fairer transportation infrastructure funding through tax adjustments.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 1611: Establish the Montana electric vehicle infrastructure act

Montana's LC 1611, the "Montana Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Act," requires local governments (municipalities and counties with 20,000+ residents) to adopt standardized permitting rules for electric vehicle charging stations by 2027. It mandates that local governments either adopt a state-developed model code, establish objective standards (avoiding subjective decisions), or maintain existing processes, while reporting on permit approvals and processing times. The bill also creates eligibility for state loans to local governments that comply with the new rules. This directly affects local government permitting agencies and businesses installing EV charging infrastructure by streamlining approvals and reducing delays.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates standardized EV infrastructure permitting, advancing renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence through clean transportation infrastructure development.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires standardized EV charging infrastructure permitting, advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure development and promoting electric vehicle adoption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

Track

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

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles Vehicle Registration

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HJ 12: Resolution regarding electric vehicles

HJ 12 is a Montana joint resolution requesting the U.S. Congress remove federal requirements for electric vehicle (EV) purchases. It cites Montana-specific challenges like limited rural charging infrastructure, reduced EV range in cold weather, and lack of all-terrain EV options, arguing these make EVs impractical for Montanans' needs. The resolution does not create new law but asks Congress to eliminate federal EV mandates, allowing Montanans to choose vehicle types freely. It was referred to a committee but died in 2025 without further action.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill requests removal of federal EV mandates, opposing federal energy policy promoting EV adoption and clean transportation infrastructure.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill seeks to eliminate federal EV mandates, weakening promotion of cleaner transportation - a key environmental protection measure. Removing such requirements opposes climate action goals.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRequests removal of federal EV mandates, opposing federal regulation of vehicle choices in transportation policy, directly limiting transportation program requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

Track

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

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Electric Vehicles

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