This bill changes how vehicle registration fees are calculated in Montana, particularly for newer and more expensive vehicles. It directly affects vehicle owners by adjusting registration costs based on a vehicle's age and manufacturer's suggested retail price. The key provision introduces an additional fee of 1% of the vehicle's price for the first year of registration for cars costing over $150,000 that are 10 years old or newer. Revenue from these fees will be allocated to special state accounts to fund highway patrol salaries, victim services, and local bridge projects. The bill also repeals an existing section and updates several state codes related to vehicle registration and fee collection.
This bill updates Montana's laws to give the Department of Transportation more authority to manage how utilities and other facilities are moved when highway projects are planned. It allows the department to create rules that set specific timelines for relocation and reduce the amount of money the state pays if utilities or facility owners do not move their equipment in a timely manner. Under the new provisions, the state would normally cover 75% of relocation costs, but this percentage can decrease to zero if facilities are not moved within a reasonable time after notice. The bill also clarifies when the department can remove facilities without compensation and limits the department's liability for service interruptions during removal, while requiring the department to consult with utility companies before setting new rules.
This bill establishes the Arthur John Rambo Memorial Bridge over the Kootenai River in Libby, Montana, on Highway 37, honoring Staff Sergeant Arthur J. Rambo, a World War II and Vietnam War veteran who was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic actions in Vietnam. The legislation directs the Montana Department of Transportation to install signs at both ends of the bridge and to place a memorial plaque near the bridge to commemorate Rambo's life and sacrifice. The bill affects the state transportation department, which will be responsible for designing and installing the signage and plaque, while the community of Libby is the primary beneficiary of this memorial designation.
This bill establishes the Laverne Parrish Memorial Highway on existing state highway 93 between mile markers 48 and 53 in Montana. It directs the Department of Transportation to install appropriate signs marking the memorial highway and to include it on future state maps. The legislation honors Laverne Parrish, a Medal of Honor recipient who died in 1945 while saving wounded soldiers during World War II. The bill becomes effective immediately upon passage and approval.
This bill updates Montana's laws regarding roadside assistance and towing services to prevent solicitation at accident scenes and ensure proper documentation. It prohibits tow truck operators from soliciting services at accident sites or near disabled vehicles unless the vehicle owner has already requested help, and requires operators to carry written proof of service requests including caller information and timestamps. The legislation establishes criminal penalties and fines for violations, with escalating punishments for repeat offenses, and mandates that towing companies maintain records for three years. Additionally, the bill prohibits government employees from directing motorists to specific tow companies and amends existing rotation system regulations for law enforcement-ordered tows.
This bill updates the official route of Montana's Lewis and Clark Highway by amending state law to specify its path through the state. The legislation primarily affects the Montana Department of Transportation and local communities along the highway corridor, particularly in Missoula. A key provision requires the highway to avoid running between South Higgins Avenue and Arthur Avenue north of 6th South Street in Missoula, instead mandating that officials consult with Missoula County and the city to find an alternate route that minimizes travel through residential neighborhoods. The rest of the highway route remains unchanged, continuing from the Idaho border through Lolo, Missoula, Garrison, and ending at the North Dakota state line.
This bill updates Montana's right-of-way rules for roundabouts and rotary traffic islands to clarify how vehicles should navigate these intersections. It directly affects drivers, towing vehicles, and local transportation authorities by establishing specific procedures for entering and circulating around roundabouts. The law requires vehicles already in a roundabout to have the right-of-way over approaching traffic, mandates that drivers stay to the right of the center, and includes special rules for towing vehicles, such as allowing them to cross lanes when signaling and giving priority to towing vehicles on the left when two enter simultaneously. Additionally, the bill formally defines a roundabout as a circular intersection where all entering traffic must yield to vehicles already inside.
This bill creates a dedicated funding account in Montana to support the design, construction, and maintenance of wildlife highway crossings and accommodations. It authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Commission to launch a specialty license plate program that generates $20 per plate to fund these projects. The account can be used for building underpasses and overpasses, conducting studies, and reimbursing the Department of Transportation for eligible wildlife crossing projects. Money in the account earns interest and remains available for future use, ensuring ongoing support for reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions and protecting wildlife movement across the state.
This bill revises how interest earned from Montana's Coal Severance Tax Permanent Fund is distributed to various state accounts and programs. It directly affects state agencies and public services that receive funding from these coal tax revenues. The key provision extends the termination date for certain highway-related appropriations from June 30, 2027 to June 30, 2029, while maintaining existing allocation percentages for libraries, conservation districts, agriculture, parks, and other state programs. The legislation amends multiple existing statutes to update these distribution rules and ensure continued funding for designated state services.
This bill creates a new type of county road maintenance district in Montana that allows local property owners to organize and fund road upkeep for roads previously maintained by the county. The district can be established when at least 66% of property owners in an area sign a petition requesting the district, after which the county must hold a public hearing and create the district if the petition meets requirements. Costs for road maintenance within the district are assessed against benefited properties based on the benefits received, and the county must reduce its general property tax levy by the amount the district collects to avoid double taxation. The bill also defines maintenance activities to include snow removal, graveling, sealing, and traffic system repairs, and allows the district to contract with public or private entities to perform maintenance work.
