Committee considers extending hearing deadline for Class D garbage hauler cases

Helena — The Montana Senate Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 22, a bill from Senator Daniel Zolnikov that would lengthen the deadline for scheduling hearings in Class D motor carrier (garbage hauler) cases from 60 days to 90 days.

Senator Daniel Zolnikov, sponsor and chair of the committee, said the bill "seeks to lengthen the deadline for setting a hearing in class d garbage hauler cases from 60 to 90 days," to give applicants time to secure representation and to allow for substantive discovery.

The change would alter a statutory sentence that currently requires the commission to fix a time and place for hearing "not later than 60 days" after receipt of a protest or request for a hearing. Trevor Graff, external affairs coordinator for the Montana Public Service Commission, told the committee the bill "does not preclude the commission from setting a hearing prior to those 90 days. It simply allows the commission to take up to the 90 days" and reflects current practice in which the commission often waives the 60-day limit to allow parties to obtain counsel.

Committee members asked about the bill's effective date in the draft language. Senator Emma Kirk Carpenter asked why the proposed effective date is July 1, 2025; Graff said the date likely gives the commission time to adjust rules and operational processes.

No opponents appeared in person or online during the hearing. The sponsor closed by urging committee support; no committee action or vote was taken at the hearing and the chair said the committee will "consider action on this bill at a later date."