[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6332071,"mediaKeyId","2308979-6b404d8b5df7ca63c645826080dc64c1","parentId",2308979,"title","House Transportation advances four measures to the floor; vehicle-tax resolution amended and passed","audioSeconds",214,"startMs",2800220,"endMs",3014780,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2308979-6b404d8b5df7ca63c645826080dc64c1&start=2800&end=3014","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2308979-6b404d8b5df7ca63c645826080dc64c1/thumbnail_2800220.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6332071/Montana/House-Transportation-advances-four-measures-to-the-floor-vehicle-tax-resolution-amended-and-passed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332071-4dad949e84222f35a3809fc5ca34efd3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776633023&Signature=oUkYahCAQhtUGnOX5HnU0xCkQ1RPaKkyzDVTQaZyMzvaSF-8TSpAWgUuurkt0j0NNvUEMM2xywXdR4lRBRWCSE8-HVb0pVCfpMFCSeIWfAnBXrFAJBWgymNcag9v6AmRDJO2vsr-DyaBVgQ7ef4DmhdjPT6ToEEtlpJFygMgkh2esZ-SitCoJi5npFM0YuFUjWNQxtUNdJYtNwCLQqbE1CkIpPWBwa~2Kr1F637ODHmb39Wz5qAFbt2SCxik2TNw9Y-xDfb4y-cntWuRC2ROrLp14RddH-bjwMK5evP7RDYNVozIDG~13be6RUEacWNiKIgy-4ajf-A01GvycPt3aQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-02-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Montana House Transportation Committee on Thursday completed executive action on several measures, advancing four items to the House floor and approving an amendment to a vehicle-tax resolution.

Vice Chair Wirth moved passage of House Joint Resolution 8 and then moved an amendment (dot 1.1). Committee staff member Casey told members the amendment struck language that would have requested a design taxation system and appointed a subcommittee, leaving the resolution to request reconsideration of vehicle tax-rate calculations during the interim. The committee approved the amendment by voice vote and then approved HJ8, as amended, on a roll-call vote of 8 in favor and 6 opposed. Committee leadership said HJ8 will progress to the House floor.

The committee also approved three other items by voice vote. House Bill 345, described to the committee as “an act clarifying the Department of Commerce roles in transit, amending section 62-1-129,” passed unanimously and will go to the floor. House Bill 387, described as amending the documents required for reconstructed or new highways (amending sections 62-2-09 and 64-10-8), passed once amended and will move to the House floor. Senate Joint Resolution 3, which asks the U.S. Congress to revise commercial driver’s license laws, passed by voice vote; Representative Smith recorded a “no” on the concurrence vote and the committee carried the measure to the floor.

Key details:

- HJ8 (as amended): Vice Chair Wirth moved amendment dot 1.1, which Casey said removes a request for a “design taxation system” and the appointment of a subcommittee; amendment passed by voice vote. HJ8, once amended, passed on roll call, 8–6, and will progress to the House floor.

- HB 345: Motion to pass carried by unanimous voice vote; bill described as amending 62-1-129 to clarify Department of Commerce roles in transit.

- HB 387: Amendment (1.001) to replace the word “description” with “right-of-way plan” was offered; the amendment passed by voice vote and the bill, once amended, passed unanimously and will move to the floor.

- SJ 3: Motion to concur with the Senate joint resolution to ask Congress to revise commercial driver’s license laws passed by voice vote; Representative Smith recorded a no on the concurrence.

The committee used a mix of voice votes and a single roll-call for HJ8’s final passage. Committee members also ensured that handouts and documents distributed at the meeting were added to the public record and meeting minutes.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Transportation - Feb 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The House Transportation Committee advanced House Joint Resolution 8 (as amended), House Bill 345, House Bill 387 and Senate Joint Resolution 3 to the House floor during executive action. HJ8 was amended to remove a proposed design taxation system and passed on a roll-call vote; the other measures passed by voice vote.","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},6332076,"House Transportation delays action on bill that would limit ordinary negligence suits against agricultural vehicle owners",67,62770,130060,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2308979-6b404d8b5df7ca63c645826080dc64c1&start=62&end=130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2308979-6b404d8b5df7ca63c645826080dc64c1/thumbnail_62770.jpg","/articles/6332076/Montana/House-Transportation-delays-action-on-bill-that-would-limit-ordinary-negligence-suits-against-agricultural-vehicle-owners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332076-e2edfc28c040162828d77de30b587599/orig.mp4?Expires=1776633023&Signature=Zg1izMTr90FeG1CSZ2H5chqZcKDjwD1AxIejLtSu8NvJDOaVsm7SoyeYcfirG0XzWdBjHIMOKB03FN4A0Uviq~PS1tbJLOTbXjat0-cc9N82ZLSH-noeHq8YRX3dMfFE2EJC6jhgfoc~~SFq-nAjkyRTL5COYhurE3SMkP2kkB9b4-x078UyfQAS548wwUH2JvY4JVm6zEFVY8RGYRK4G1fE8xsd32jkw5lCwGzM4LvjLKgpbWzUioUqsTb1WbEMEKMEskg2m7PMKlTBvWq5md81zurmZJmr3AVeCBIOku~K-QcSDmEE5VkutAwG5ZdNt-Ipn1bLN06DMcIFFBfssg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Transportation Committee on Thursday postponed executive action on House Bill 212 after debate over an amendment that would change how liability is applied to owners and operators of agricultural vehicles.

Representative Byrne, who spoke to the amendment, said the change inserts language into the bill that would preserve liability for “gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct” that causes serious bodily injury or death. Byrne said the amendment places that wording up front in the bill rather than relying on a cross-reference to Montana Code Annotated. “The limited liability pursuant to subsection 1(a) does not apply to the owner, lessee, operator of an agricultural vehicle if gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct results in serious bodily injury or death of another person,” Byrne said.

Representative Staffman objected to acting on the change without more time to review it, saying he had seen the language for the first time in committee and wanted more information. “I’m gonna have to object,” Staffman said, adding that he was not prefiguring his final vote but wanted time to consult and hear from others about possible legal issues, including potential constitutional concerns.

Chair Durham acknowledged the concern and said it was the chair’s intent to move executive action on House Bill 212 to a later date, likely next Wednesday, to allow members time to review the amendment and consult counsel and stakeholders. The committee recessed shortly afterward.

Why it matters: The amendment changes how ordinary negligence claims involving farm equipment would be treated under the bill while keeping an explicit exception for grossly negligent conduct. Supporters said the text mirrors existing statutory language; opponents urged more time to assess legal risks.

Background and context: Byrne told the committee the language was drawn from Montana law and cited Montana Code Annotated, 2023, section 2-9-108 as the source the amendment mirrors. Byrne gave examples, saying that conduct such as driving drunk or operating a combine with cutting implements exposed could meet a gross-negligence standard, whereas ordinary driving errors such as a failed taillight or a missed signal would not.

Next steps: The committee did not take a final vote and recessed, saying executive action on House Bill 212 will be rescheduled for further consideration.

","The Montana House Transportation Committee postponed executive action on House Bill 212 after members debated an amendment that would carve out gross-negligence exceptions to a proposed limited-liability provision for agricultural vehicles; at least one member asked for a separate hearing to examine constitutional and other legal questions.","actionData","errors"]

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House Transportation advances four measures to the floor; vehicle-tax resolution amended and passed

House Transportation delays action on bill that would limit ordinary negligence suits against agricultural vehicle owners