[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6622413,"mediaKeyId","2784491-92a7f56b3e1b4fd765644e2738cefe30","parentId",2784491,"title","Committee reviews cleanup bill to align driver and vehicle services statutes and enable electronic transactions","audioSeconds",337,"startMs",1777705,"endMs",2114960,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784491-92a7f56b3e1b4fd765644e2738cefe30&start=1777&end=2114","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784491-92a7f56b3e1b4fd765644e2738cefe30/thumbnail_1777705.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6622413/Montana/Committee-reviews-cleanup-bill-to-align-driver-and-vehicle-services-statutes-and-enable-electronic-transactions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622413-75ecc1e2c255ffbf361201e95b5c8442/orig.mp4?Expires=1771128869&Signature=cQMc2yzqxHlcz1oDMSu90ChFb4hbiFxyDVaE-TVntUa3EkRti94ubBPTUzpMFVDMzHXudcR5~XLo7HE8fGTyOcGR5u2sgwBdKWdgNC6q5Rc8gMNIT37INlI9LwvelGwISqjcC0md044ft~Ql3WTo6V4nnMjRZaMUXN8K3aqgzMGPJvqpRUDqHEBQPRA0ECZZxW2IMkm8f~NknOmviDwlF11Q4OeMy9SsWnI-iiAfy-MH0-TyPRSlZeH0E9V9Y3ao8N2HfkamqkpIvw4~P2HS-6q6JucY6MwO78cm7X9ExeRXvoIdXJUtI1TRHs1K1MFKHBZcSwPL1pe-7yY38RPmWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-26T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Shelly Vance presented Senate Bill 380 to the House Transportation Committee as a primarily technical cleanup bill to align definitions across Montana Code Annotated and to add authority for counties and vehicle-service electronic transactions. “The new items in driver services will allow counties to provide more services to their customers,” Vance said, and she reserved the right to close after testimony.

Supporters included Michael Walker, Vehicle Services Bureau chief for the Motor Vehicle Division, who said the Motor Vehicle Division supports the bill and described it as a cleanup with benefits for fraud prevention and operational efficiency. Tom Jacobson, representing Montana Registration Services Company, also testified in favor and said the changes improve business efficiencies for titling and registration work.

Committee members asked technical questions about specific line edits — for example, Vice Chair Baum asked about added language on page 18 that referenced a 60-day provision; Walker said the change addressed a current need and that a recently rolled-out system might resolve some issues over time. No opponents or informational witnesses opposed the bill; the witness list was limited to department staff and registration-service stakeholders.

Ending: Senator Vance closed without an extensive statement and suggested Representative Baum could carry the bill on the House floor if the committee moves it forward. No committee vote occurred during the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Transportation - Mar 26, 2025 15:00 - 18:00","oneSentenceSummary","Sen. Shelly Vance presented Senate Bill 380 to the House Transportation Committee as a cleanup and alignment bill affecting driver and vehicle services, with added authority for counties and language enabling electronic transactions.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622418,"House panel hears proposal for motorcycle specialty plate to fund rider safety",983,722895,1706355,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784491-92a7f56b3e1b4fd765644e2738cefe30&start=722&end=1706","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784491-92a7f56b3e1b4fd765644e2738cefe30/thumbnail_722895.jpg","/articles/6622418/Montana/House-panel-hears-proposal-for-motorcycle-specialty-plate-to-fund-rider-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622418-ba7e0f544942ce29917b85f936d01a0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771128869&Signature=Ph2uuE5I-iijfIzKb3YWHYjZajpa2WAu8Q3SvxK7JcF3ZaQtQ21Vw2~QQIHvs5OzQeM3NCP9DP8zv4gt8MD9Oqu9KpOsRgqjsg60PWvlos1layABlchEFi6ear2i84o5IINZyNTy8AkmRUtn1EKVpdSQhzXxA9SW-oCDSVFOscGw2-Qghatpt5lKtgB1F1huCm35XrDbpp4HPGRl-s5~N0ZqnUYFPlP70v1bRALXg5oaQyG4PE2KgQC3HPLHnXHcAIVPmipnusxmQUpclEgIU4j52mpP3txrpMPtDhUZk19xoa-PWsfS-jemz5FAC7IqKW5rU8YJ5MbwHZiX~mZuTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Josh Seckinger, sponsor of House Bill 849, told the House Transportation Committee that HB 849 would create a specialty motorcycle license plate and dedicate small fees to motorcycle safety education and public awareness. “This bill is straightforward and common sense,” Seckinger said in opening remarks, noting motorcycle riders face higher risks on Montana roads.

The bill would let motorcyclists opt for a specialty plate; the fiscal note cited an initial design fee and the plate would collect a $5 administrative fee plus a $20 donation. Seckinger said the $20 donation would be directed to nonprofits offering rider training, advanced rider courses and public outreach campaigns to improve visibility and defensive riding.

Why it matters: Supporters said targeted funding for rider education could reduce crashes and fatalities. Tom Jacobson, representing the Montana Motorcycle Safety Foundation, described the plate as an option beyond the current two motorcycle plate choices and said the group modeled its approach on other states’ specialty-plate programs. “We put that in statute black because black is by far the most popular plate out there,” Jacobson said, describing a preferred plate design and noting any final plate design would require approval by law enforcement and the Department of Justice for reflectivity and visibility standards.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana’s government relations director, Drew Czciok (pronounced “Chuck”), testified in support and described personal experience with nonprofit motorcycle education: “I learned how to ride defensively. Frankly, that training is probably what kept me alive on 2 wheels,” he said, and indicated he would switch to the proposed plate if it became available.

Committee members asked how the donated dollars would be used and whether training programs already exist. Seckinger and witnesses said basic and advanced rider courses already operate in Montana — for example, Helena College runs instruction in the Helena area — and the voluntary plate donations would fund nonprofits that host those classes. On the question of reflectivity, Jacobson said plate specifications have not been finalized and that any new plate must be approved by the Department of Justice and the Highway Patrol for visibility.

Members also pressed for fiscal detail. Seckinger and proponents referred to the fiscal note and said projected revenue ramps up over several years; a committee member asked where other motorcycle safety funding currently comes from and whether the state could instead direct existing funds to safety programs. Proponents argued the specialty plate is a voluntary, self-funded way to raise money and raise public awareness.

No formal action was taken during the hearing. Seckinger said he expected typical committee amendments to the bill and closed hoping the committee would provide a do-pass recommendation.

Ending: The committee closed the HB 849 hearing after questioning; witnesses present included the Montana Motorcycle Safety Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana and the Montana Department of Transportation’s rail and transit planning staff who offered technical answers about safety programs and training funding.","Representative Josh Seckinger urged the Montana House Transportation Committee to advance House Bill 849, a proposal to create an optional motorcycle specialty license plate that would collect a $5 administrative fee and a $20 donation to fund rider training and public-awareness programs.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622408,"House committee hears proposal to create Big Sky Rail account to fund passenger-rail planning and projects",5906,2150190,8056295,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784491-92a7f56b3e1b4fd765644e2738cefe30&start=2150&end=8056","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784491-92a7f56b3e1b4fd765644e2738cefe30/thumbnail_2150190.jpg","/articles/6622408/Montana/House-committee-hears-proposal-to-create-Big-Sky-Rail-account-to-fund-passenger-rail-planning-and-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622408-e717afba100b74c5df3154b202819c45/orig.mp4?Expires=1771128869&Signature=AgpAUunk07-HVeXmAQ8LBNcrpm9bWVWGtk~ynS-7sS9yHlJj9LC-1NiCBhRq9~JC~fLrihfqvUFc3lGLMEpaihqYObDvvhzC0hDesLeokLMakGRvovr~oXzJ68Qtug4FqIMbdECZayu-18uA6r7hB-kPnh1AQHPYvOSEhkRPrV-VDtyGiRKKlBaBHNYpPIC2Wxk99SdYkIGq0BGr8UPxz68u1sub~YqmrZruoIVTy-QLzpHe38WQqXAuqLJDqEHT65gopGjB-jFwD7eKWq4mqXIn3vGXVgWV8~hUhnmSioup36nDaq3A8MNvaRgpDdJozvtkFZ8qEnnxrzQQkmzzEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Denise Baum opened House Bill 848 by telling the House Transportation Committee the bill would establish a statewide fund — the Big Sky Rail account — to direct the first $2,000,000 of railroad car tax proceeds each year into a statutory appropriation for passenger-rail planning and related projects. “When we talk about building out passenger rail infrastructure, Montana should not be the caboose,” Baum said, calling passenger rail “critical infrastructure.”

What the bill would do: HB 848 would direct the first $2,000,000 of railroad car taxes, penalties and interest collected into a Big Sky Rail account, a statutory appropriation to the Montana Department of Transportation to be distributed annually. Testimony repeatedly noted that current rail-car tax receipts are distributed to the state general fund and that the bill would instead allocate the first $2 million to the new account.

Support and testimony: The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA) and a long list of local elected officials, county commissioners, chamber leaders, economic-development professionals, tribal representatives and transportation experts testified in favor. Dave Strohmeyer, chairman of BSPRA’s board, described the authority’s work and said the organization had secured federal planning recognition and grants including an Amtrak partnership to secure $15 million for rail improvements in Malta and Phillips County. “In this age of political rancor, one thing is clear across Big Sky country. Passenger rail is not divided along lines of red or blue,” Strohmeyer said.

Proponents described multiple goals: planning and design for passenger-station infrastructure, grant-writing and administration, providing matching funds to unlock federal grants, workforce development and local economic benefits including tourism and improved access to health care for rural and tribal communities. The bill’s supporters included the Montana AFL-CIO, chambers of commerce, the Montana Economic Developers Association, tribal officials from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai, county commissioners, mayors and numerous downtown and tourism stakeholders.

Fiscal and technical questions: Committee members probed the revenue source and the mechanics of the railroad car tax. Witnesses explained the tax is assessed on the market value of leased railcars and is currently deposited to the general fund; the Legislative Fiscal Division projects railroad car tax receipts of roughly $3.9 million in 2025 and increasing modestly in subsequent years, and HB 848 would allocate the first $2 million of that revenue to the new account. Committee members also asked whether the amount is fixed; the sponsor confirmed the statutory appropriation sets the $2,000,000 figure until the Legislature changes it.

Timing, scope and costs: BSPRA leaders and technical witnesses described the project-development pipeline: BSPRA was accepted into the U.S. DOT Corridor Identification and Development Program and received a $500,000 FRA grant to study restoration of the Southern route (Big Sky North Coast corridor). Strohmeyer said an anticipated next phase (service-development planning) would cost roughly $10–15 million and that full restoration and operations could take years; he estimated, if everything aligns, service could begin in roughly eight to ten years, and total capital costs could run into the billions for a multi-state, long-distance corridor.

Local examples and community interest: Presenters from Glendive, Malta, Miles City, Butte, Livingston, Whitehall, Phillipsburg and other towns described economic and quality-of-life benefits from restored passenger service, including increased tourism, easier access for seniors and veterans to medical care, freight benefits and workforce development. Tribal representatives noted the reservation-level benefits for transport of people and timber and urged support.

Ending: Committee members asked detailed technical questions about route alternatives, station stops under consideration (Glendive, Miles City, Forsyth, Columbus?, Billings, Livingston, Bozeman, Helena, Missoula, Paradise/Thompson Falls as possibilities), and the relationship between passenger and freight infrastructure. No opponents testified. Representative Baum closed urging a do-pass recommendation and cited workforce and grant wins BSPRA had already helped secure. The committee did not take final executive action during the hearing.","House Bill 848 would statutorily appropriate the first $2 million of rail-car tax revenue to a new Big Sky Rail account to support the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority’s planning, grant matching and project development. Dozens of proponents, local officials, tribal representatives, economic-development groups and transportation experts described","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee reviews cleanup bill to align driver and vehicle services statutes and enable electronic transactions

House panel hears proposal for motorcycle specialty plate to fund rider safety

House committee hears proposal to create Big Sky Rail account to fund passenger-rail planning and projects