[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6308884,"mediaKeyId","2416092-be494f8fdda1dfdbaec8cf82c25f2691","parentId",2416092,"title","Family and safety groups push 'Chloe’s Law' hands‑free driving bill; committee adopts minor amendment and moves bill forward","audioSeconds",2380,"startMs",8599000,"endMs",10979000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2416092-be494f8fdda1dfdbaec8cf82c25f2691&start=8599&end=10979","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2416092-be494f8fdda1dfdbaec8cf82c25f2691/thumbnail_8599000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6308884/Montana/Family-and-safety-groups-push-Chloes-Law-handsfree-driving-bill-committee-adopts-minor-amendment-and-moves-bill-forward","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308884-c0af8f94ccaf71381a37587fe38dff74/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151159&Signature=bYPcRRXlwdtYWOabG4VPUtBa0ibH-Y5ZYWsKQg21AgAw2GMobqXO0Ca38vTjFJlyjhdC5xmGCHWtqp597MmUwCacRlXKwllgsesNNcIBMmjuf4H4RGWl133UXQxskO5wn0cbtn9D1i0jQRrwFpmh~krceRU9SMNaCF2C5Y~4CCN3Nt7R4qhoqCgvamONF4XyjaF9FdflNCMC9RKpJQI4TDKX-rDmL73pv5Rq5pMmdLOCpUAdnTwx2p1VQxPfr--Y3kpO4Nzmyq3JdtCPnZ3JVba3ii7ylb9Gn3iq2OhMPLBHJ22Eo--mtFcePhArT-apr~oEazIAoHOjBTQc9F-ryw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana State Legislature","date","2025-02-26T00:00:00Z","article","Senators heard testimony on Senate Bill 359, a hands‑free driving measure sponsored by Senator Sarah Novak aimed at reducing distracted driving. Novak said she brought the bill after the 2021 fatal crash that killed a former student, and described the proposal as a targeted hands‑free law rather than a broad ban on all device uses.

Proponents described the bill as a public‑safety measure that gives law enforcement a clearer tool to address phone‑related distractions. Connie Worrall, the mother of Chloe Worrall, recounted her daughter’s death and said Montana was the only state without a hands‑free statute; Keith Worrall and local community leaders also testified in support. The Montana Department of Transportation director and the Association of Montana Troopers presented statistics showing distracted driving contributed to a significant share of Montana fatalities; director Chris Dorrington cited a Department of Transportation review: between 2013 and 2022 distracted drivers were identified in 157 crashes that led to 171 fatalities, and 26% of distracted drivers in fatal crashes were mobile‑phone distracted.

Law enforcement associations — including the Association of Montana Troopers, the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, and the Montana Association of Chiefs of Police — and firefighters urged passage, citing the bill’s potential to reduce preventable crashes and to give officers a statutory basis to educate drivers during stops.

Driver‑education groups and road‑safety advocates also supported the bill. Charlie Brown, legislative liaison for the Montana Traffic Education Association, and other teachers urged legislative action; Brown told senators driver education professionals view the statute as a necessary tool to reduce crashes among novice drivers. National and industry safety groups — including the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and the National Safety Council (submitted comment) — supported the bill and highlighted technology options that enable hands‑free operation.

Sponsor Novak and witnesses worked with counsel and stakeholders during the hearing and proposed a single, limited amendment: remove the phrase “stopped, standing, or” from the definition so the prohibition applies unless a motor vehicle is parked. Committee staff said the change would improve alignment with federal highway program eligibility and remove a statutory barrier the department said had previously limited federal grant accessibility. The committee adopted the amendment by voice vote and later voted to move the bill forward; senators indicated bipartisan support and asked staff to coordinate enforcement guidance and education if the bill advances.

Clarifying details: witnesses cited an estimated annual reduction in distracted‑driving fatalities in other states after hands‑free laws and provided national and state statistics on distraction‑related fatalities and economic costs. Stopdistractions.org provided national comparative evidence and state experience showing reduced crashes where such laws were actively enforced. The fiscal and enforcement impacts were described as manageable; MDT and local agencies said the law would primarily alter enforcement discretion and education rather than require major new appropriations.

Ending note: After the amendment was adopted, the committee moved SB 359 forward with a do‑pass recommendation. Committee members requested coordinated education and an enforcement plan to accompany statutory language if the bill advances to the floor.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Highways and Transportation - Feb 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 359, dubbed Chloe’s Law and sponsored by Senator Sarah Novak, would prohibit drivers from holding or manipulating mobile devices while operating a vehicle; the committee adopted an amendment narrowing a parked‑vehicle exception and moved the bill forward 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},6308894,"Committee hears split testimony on e‑bike definitions and trail access in SB 387",4583,4817000,9400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2416092-be494f8fdda1dfdbaec8cf82c25f2691&start=4817&end=9400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2416092-be494f8fdda1dfdbaec8cf82c25f2691/thumbnail_4817000.jpg","/articles/6308894/Montana/Committee-hears-split-testimony-on-ebike-definitions-and-trail-access-in-SB-387","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308894-4a591223fa396f90f57c01854ac9557c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151159&Signature=HKvd0cLQ4tbdkL1Gpf8U-vJqqkmi8i1P~nDIeaevOL5FxzU5AyalF0CrxTKq1rmm2SqG4J1~PjmvEeApxt-KOCLG5MFFaFSPg6gLMEGnd6AX5mLqytcmiygwyxygDLCTC204y1eLgLfvp99cr6OFx8Cp2G-yrEAqbO4Sdt92aExEO6bcqZSHnDe33B6-2XvdYU4b1p0wSFFAmrq3l1vLfGUBvySvZzxDZ4EwjygmOf0G43HMeqOmLy7mUwolzZO4avduUdn3NzUceSDFFwhL9vCRw-hPMatzGynya2o1VT8C6JZEiYeZzXboGlp9iUSteM2hMhLnMB-pBeXzh-x4Iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators heard extensive testimony on Senate Bill 387, which would adopt the federal three‑class system for electrically assisted bicycles (e‑bikes) and add a statutory definition of “electrically assisted bicycle.” Sponsor Senator Greg Hertz argued the change would provide consistency with federal guidance and other states and give land managers and consumers clearer rules about where e‑bikes may be used.

Proponents — including representatives of Bike Walk Montana and retailers — said the bill uses familiar, national definitions and would help consumers and land managers by standardizing classes: class 1 (pedal‑assist up to 20 mph), class 2 (throttle or pedal‑assist up to 20 mph), and class 3 (pedal‑assist up to 28 mph). Mike Talia of Bike Walk Montana urged the committee to adopt a definition so land managers can “be consistent with what’s going on across the country.” Supporters also noted e‑bikes increase accessibility for older users and people with physical limitations.

Opponents — including Wild Montana, Montana Wildlife Federation, Prickly Pear Land Trust, Flathead Land Trust and private industry landowners — asked the committee to separate the statutory definitions of traditional human‑powered bicycles and e‑bikes rather than folding e‑bikes into the bicycle definition. Wild Montana attorney Noah Marion said the draft is “illogical and confusing” because it simultaneously defines an e‑bike as a motorized device and also expands the definition of “bicycle” to include electrically assisted bicycles, which opponents said would undermine longstanding federal and local trail management rules that treat motorized uses differently.

Private landowners and large private forest managers said the bill, as drafted, limits their ability to restrict motorized devices on private forests and could create enforcement problems where ownership boundaries intermix. Jason Callahan of Green Diamond Resource Company and Jim Watson (Flathead) said their trail agreements depend on federal grant terms and private easements that prohibit motorized use; they urged that e‑bike classes be defined in statute but kept separate from the bicycle definition so local land managers, easement holders and federal fund recipients can continue site‑specific rules.

Wildlife and land‑trust witnesses raised safety and wildlife concerns for backcountry use and for user conflicts on mixed‑use trails. Montana Wildlife Federation cautioned that faster e‑bikes increase encounters with hunters, horses and remote users, and urged local decision‑making rather than a single statewide reclassification.

Committee discussion focused on drafting options and enforcement. Senator Hertz said the bill does not strip local control — private landowners and agencies could continue to restrict e‑bikes — and argued the change was mainly to provide a uniform statutory tool. Several senators asked whether the committee could adopt the three‑class text while keeping the bicycle definition limited to human‑powered bikes; sponsors and proponents said that drafting could be done but asked for direction from the committee and suggested work with legislative services.

No formal committee vote was recorded in the hearing. Witnesses from MDT, Fish, Wildlife & Parks and trail advocates offered to work with sponsors and opponents on redrafting options that better separate the terms or clarify enforcement and local control.

Ending note: SB 387’s core tension is statutory classification versus management discretion — sponsors sought statewide clarity through federal alignment while land managers and conservation groups asked for clearer separations so e‑bikes are not automatically treated like human‑powered bicycles wherever those are permitted.","Senate Bill 387 would align Montana with the federal three‑class e‑bike system; proponents said standardized definitions help consumers and land managers, while land trusts, wildlife groups and private landowners warned the bill blurs a legal distinction between human‑powered bicycles and motorized devices and could force changes to trail access.",{"_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},6308899,"Montana committee hears wide support and opposition for bill raising luxury vehicle fees to fund bridges, victims services and Highway Patrol",4250,331000,4581000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2416092-be494f8fdda1dfdbaec8cf82c25f2691&start=331&end=4581","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2416092-be494f8fdda1dfdbaec8cf82c25f2691/thumbnail_331000.jpg","/articles/6308899/Montana/Montana-committee-hears-wide-support-and-opposition-for-bill-raising-luxury-vehicle-fees-to-fund-bridges-victims-services-and-Highway-Patrol","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308899-95e68e6c402d96504197ea6d7e9e314a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151159&Signature=l~F5VSEspctmbcBSxewzq0uZHRJwePTxqrb7RHNYGNLQq~q~aKAJMRhi0LoZcQH4g8U3myQWlVZX5xBtdqgvRcxjvc3f6AguWxRYv3ZK6jkVI6XXMJXmvF5WJxabTIcEF~gM0LGRC6qmjTRr5UHPM53pukUgn9QAHma~g-eXbQ6Go1lSavcxVXn4R~~wgFY3Y0lxJX0g07bjSPXRR7vDq~tPK4Pq9NSGI0TIapSOI6Nh8FATe50TfdA81Q1CrwmoentXJAO75h2rVvFoNKJw4rVs51fSbHwbGGoqWhzUrd1Yjuo4fBLOMgZKlylNRoMX5cooACydMrUEd51jAofR9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators on the Senate Transportation Committee heard competing testimony on Senate Bill 324, a package that would convert Montana’s luxury vehicle fee to a 1% charge on a vehicle’s manufacturer’s suggested retail price, transfer $50 million of one‑time general fund money to seed a new Better Local Bridge Fund, create a $10 million Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) grant program requiring local match, direct $2 of an existing $10 registration fee to a victims of crime account, and provide ongoing revenue to the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP).

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Josh Kasmier, said the measure “creates a better local bridge fund and provide[s] a funding stream for that purpose,” and that it would fund multiple priorities without relying on ongoing general fund appropriations. Ryan Evans, assistant budget director in the governor’s office, told the committee the measure was included in the governor’s budget and described “a nexus between the funding and the expenditures,” noting the proposal would also “eliminate the 3% administrative fee imposed … as they register their vehicle.”

Why it matters: proponents from counties, transportation and public‑safety agencies said Montana faces a large backlog of deficient off‑system bridges and that local governments lack reliable capital to repair or replace them. County commissioners and MDT officials described hundreds of off‑system bridges in need of work and urged a new dedicated funding stream. Victim services advocates and county attorneys also urged the committee to secure stable funding for victim‑witness and community‑based victim services after federal funding sources proved unstable.

Proponents included Yellowstone County Commissioner John Ostlund and Chris Dorrington, director of the Montana Department of Transportation. Dorrington said there are “2,196 off‑system bridges” statewide and that “22% of those bridges are load posted.” Montana Association of Counties and local commissioners described multimillion‑dollar needs: the association estimated about $440 million to address bridges that are closed or load posted.

Victim service providers and county attorneys said the bill’s allocation of $2 of the $10 registration surcharge to a new victims of crime state special revenue account would stabilize advocates’ funding. Natalia Bowser, director of Montana Border Crime Control, said that allocation “goes out as grant funding to subrecipients, distributed to programs across the state that serve victims of crime.” County attorneys and the Montana Coalition Against Domestic Violence described services funded by those dollars — crisis hotlines, emergency shelters, court advocacy and victim‑witness specialists — and said those programs have faced federal funding shortfalls.

Public safety testimony emphasized the MHP funding need. Colonel Kurt Sager, colonel of the Montana Highway Patrol, and Jesse Luther of the Association of Montana Troopers said the patrol’s state special revenue sources have not kept pace with expenses and pay adjustments; Luther noted the patrol receives about $5 million annually now from the existing luxury vehicle revenue and said salary increases this session make additional revenue “critical.”

Opponents representing Montana’s commercial registered agent and registration services said the change to a percentage on MSRP — effectively a targeted sales tax — would dramatically raise costs to their clients and risk moving the business to other states. Kalli Wicks of LLC TLC and other registration‑industry witnesses said their companies could face a roughly fourfold increase for typical transactions under the fiscal note scenario and urged a flat fee or different structure to avoid driving away nonresident registrants. Bennett Law Office and other opponents suggested smaller increases or a sliding scale tied to vehicle price instead of a flat percentage.

Committee questions focused on market effects and alternatives. Senators asked whether a sliding fee schedule or tiered flat fees (for example, higher fees only for the first few registration years or for higher MSRP brackets) might reduce industry disruption while producing revenue targets. Sponsor Kasmier said he was open to amendments as long as a revised approach could still fund the priorities in the bill. Ryan Evans and MDT staff said a $10 million annual Better Local Bridge Fund target was an administration objective but the fiscal note indicated somewhat lower revenue in early years; MDT staff described the program as a competitive grant program requiring 20% local match rather than an even per‑county distribution.

Clarifying details and mechanics: the bill seeds the new bridge fund with a $50,000,000 one‑time general fund transfer, authorizes a new $10,000,000 MDT grant program requiring local match, directs $2 of a $10 registration fee to the victims of crime account (estimated at about $2.3 million annually at full implementation in the fiscal note), proposes to eliminate an existing 3% DMV administrative surcharge after a transition period, and converts the luxury vehicle levy from a fixed fee to 1% of MSRP. The fiscal note and witnesses emphasize the legislation primarily taxes out‑of‑state purchasers who currently register luxury vehicles in Montana.

No committee vote was recorded in the transcript on SB 324. Committee members and staff agreed to continue work on potential amendments and to obtain additional data — including MSDR distributions, renewal patterns, and more granular MSRP data — before further action.

Next steps: committee members asked for more detailed fiscal and market data from the Department of Justice, MDT and the governor’s budget office, and several senators urged continued negotiation with industry stakeholders on fee structure amendments before the bill advances.

Ending note: proponents framed the bill as a package designed to stabilize multiple, distinct state funding priorities — local bridge repairs, victim services and MHP retention — while opponents warned of unintended market consequences if the fee is converted to a 1% MSRP tax without a different fee schedule or other mitigations.","Lawmakers heard hours of testimony on Senate Bill 324, which would seed a Better Local Bridge Fund with a $50 million transfer, convert the luxury vehicle fee to a 1% levy on MSRP, direct $2 of a $10 registration fee to victims services and add recurring revenue for the Montana Highway Patrol while eliminating a 3% DMV administrative surcharge.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6308890,"Committee approves memorial highway designation for Medal of Honor recipient Laverne Parish",820,7816000,8636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2416092-be494f8fdda1dfdbaec8cf82c25f2691&start=7816&end=8636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2416092-be494f8fdda1dfdbaec8cf82c25f2691/thumbnail_7816000.jpg","/articles/6308890/Montana/Committee-approves-memorial-highway-designation-for-Medal-of-Honor-recipient-Laverne-Parish","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308890-065760b010b12e7aa2c49202270dbe11/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151159&Signature=Yqk2u8vY-wgQDN9lKXhoqbG8YjDG45O6~hlTI2qL3EQGek3Lb9spC3SqjFdG98J4MLi2MQmIRkyi2GukP64rwe-SanqIXyJ57ak4sfwQm4o1TvDVLymKC~RCg6ZU58HbONB9hNOGFB5u-EsbweiGrt3c8v~1Mz-0RfKEottHKOAo2hRLpAO0r1UDMwZQsDY-H2NN9PklDfleEijVypRRDZjz0sSragyyb2tlc-pWrmlfL3p2w8~bdCJwwJLjTq1fnNKzJpPki4lw0wrTb5U0pQryvXMYOWQObA9gmg7p47iDUl78Q7DIQMHCccT20ODhzOZ0xb02UQbGzoAbk3OVLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Transportation Committee approved an amendment and gave a do‑pass recommendation to Senate Bill 392, which designates a segment of U.S. 93 north of Ronan as the Laverne Parish Memorial Highway.

Sponsor Senator Greg Hertz described Laverne Parish, a Ronan native and World War II Medal of Honor recipient, and asked the committee to honor him with the signage and memorial designation. Community members and former teammates testified in support; proponents said Parish’s actions merit long‑term recognition and described local memorials already dedicated to his service.

The committee adopted an amendment that changed the end mile marker to avoid overlap with an existing memorial highway; the amendment replaced mile marker 53 with mile marker 51 in the bill language. Senator Logie moved the amendment; the committee approved the change by voice vote. After the amendment, Senator Logie moved the do‑pass motion for the bill as amended and the committee adopted the do‑pass recommendation on a voice vote.

Committee staff from the Department of Transportation indicated the fiscal impact is minimal — signage and administrative costs were estimated in the fiscal note at roughly $3,300 — and provided a route map to the committee. No opponents testified and committee members noted community support and local vetting before the motion.

Ending note: SB 392 was amended to narrow the milepost range and carried out of committee with a do‑pass recommendation; department staff will coordinate signage and placement.","Senators moved and approved an amendment and then a do‑pass recommendation for Senate Bill 392 to designate a section of U.S. 93 north of Ronan as the Laverne Parish Memorial Highway; committee adopted a mileage amendment to avoid overlap with an existing memorial designation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Family and safety groups push 'Chloe’s Law' hands‑free driving bill; committee adopts minor amendment and moves bill forward

Committee hears split testimony on e‑bike definitions and trail access in SB 387

Montana committee hears wide support and opposition for bill raising luxury vehicle fees to fund bridges, victims services and Highway Patrol

Committee approves memorial highway designation for Medal of Honor recipient Laverne Parish