[{"_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",6629870,"mediaKeyId","2702243-bfc0a199040826cf1374e1fd00ee1cf6","parentId",2702243,"title","Committee restores original child‑passenger safety language and concurs on bill to update restraint requirements","audioSeconds",2504,"startMs",1480000,"endMs",3984000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2702243-bfc0a199040826cf1374e1fd00ee1cf6&start=1480&end=3984","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2702243-bfc0a199040826cf1374e1fd00ee1cf6/thumbnail_1480000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6629870/Montana/Committee-restores-original-childpassenger-safety-language-and-concurs-on-bill-to-update-restraint-requirements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629870-06bde4f05176047a72a42333f6304a05/orig.mp4?Expires=1775347709&Signature=bhbpkStvnjgZhZmFd~4xQrOy81k62pW1XQ10GPaFzHRhGf-p2Dc0Cz4UXnnl7zvSVuXTlJG8tJ-5-8nySdeVFOK9-1b4TIbRl-HhvkW~HRQQmq85bmeZIGCun78U-8wGBNiGnolCTOrmA~4LjvcVVjzowMiZyCmS6wbf~DofNDnfgEHsjgKV8~n7aCFgC~tpuYL-ppZAHNkcEWXYPZbTn1e35rmUG2dk1oT~Lla-Wu~XDAOwbCUl41GBDvSXu5EB6veVX9NrvB3HPqhiWIQPwcqfS2h8whUM-CkNjNrE9C9butE0gDcqJj3ocRki6Z~zYXxMgdjGJoUy8ktHOiYnOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Mark Lee introduced House Bill 586 to the Senate Transportation Committee as a child passenger safety modernization measure intended to align Montana law with national best practices and federal standards.

Under the provisions described by the sponsor and in materials distributed to the committee, the bill would require a motor vehicle passenger age 2 and younger to be restrained in a rear‑facing child safety restraint that complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Children between 2 and 4 years of age would be restrained in rear‑facing or forward‑facing restraint systems with an internal harness; children between 4 and 8 years of age would be restrained in a forward‑facing child restraint with internal harness or a belt‑positioning booster seat secured by a vehicle lap‑shoulder belt. Representative Lee and witnesses said the changes align Montana law with the science that has shifted restraint recommendations over the last two decades.

A broad coalition of proponents provided testimony. Shauna Helfert represented the Town Pump Foundation and said her organization funds free car seats for families. John Iverson testified on behalf of AAA Montana. David Inman, a highway factors investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board and a former Montana Highway Patrol traffic homicide investigator, testified in support and emphasized that child safety restraints save lives. Corin Bloom, an EMS paramedic and child passenger safety advocate, provided data on crash‑related injuries and the documented effectiveness of extended restraint use. Tracy Kiesel, who coordinates a permanent car‑seat fitting station and is Montana’s child passenger safety technician training coordinator, told the committee there are 278 certified technicians and 15 certified instructors statewide and offered to assist with public education if the law changes.

Testimony emphasized that Montana’s current occupant‑protection law is brief and, as the sponsor put it, “outdated.” The current standard the sponsor cited is that a child must be in a child restraint if under 60 pounds and 6 years of age; HB 586 would replace that single threshold with age‑ and restraint‑specific requirements that track Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and medical/education guidance, according to witnesses.

Committee members questioned implementation and public outreach. Sponsor and department witnesses said funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is available to support education and outreach tied to occupant protection updates. The sponsor said he and his backers will work with house transportation on any subsequent changes if the Senate amendment process changes the bill's language.

The committee considered an amendment (HB0586.002.001) that would have restored language the sponsor described as the original bill; the amendment was moved and then failed on a roll call (recorded roll call produced a 4‑4 tie and the amendment did not pass). After the amendment failed, the committee moved to concur on the bill as presented; the committee recorded a concurrence vote and the committee report shows the bill was concurred. Senator Fern indicated she would carry the bill on the floor.

Next steps: With committee concurrence recorded, the bill will move forward to the Senate floor and, if passed there, return to the House for any further action required by amendments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Highway and Transportation - Mar 19, 2025 15:30 - 18:45","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Mark Lee told the Senate Transportation Committee that House Bill 586 would update Montana’s child passenger protection law to follow national best practices for rear‑facing, harnessed and booster seats.","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},6629875,"Bill would legalize and define motorized scooters on Montana roads; committee heard safety, helmet and lighting questions",980,435000,1415000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2702243-bfc0a199040826cf1374e1fd00ee1cf6&start=435&end=1415","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2702243-bfc0a199040826cf1374e1fd00ee1cf6/thumbnail_435000.jpg","/articles/6629875/Montana/Bill-would-legalize-and-define-motorized-scooters-on-Montana-roads-committee-heard-safety-helmet-and-lighting-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629875-a9858313edde930ac45f6fa073a5b513/orig.mp4?Expires=1775347709&Signature=UzeD5X92Qvmi-QFQFDwNm2Eso2m443MoWVN9oycV7otuovMqrPbPaHglhncqdKVTzsL3SI4NHiMrc6oIAcvswHx8seF8-4nhqpmAme1MdkyyFiJQBm4-cbD5mqEV95XF~LTSk0~Lp8~LhHwHF3eLrH-2a2z-O0Om9VKAi5Oo1LSpHNoGTqPr83tZOM23JpQZTeQbd7QXas8TthrZ9eFEkSCw0xSbiSN5Z800-2hlCDRh2CkhxXrmaAgDDYwJ5-y6BHD2Ai04DTzVBFV-mgv5pk6Fkx9qqCRUVW83tLKc7sP8cQbsIbbp77bABHPXWO9Z-IOgTdmo9tLHyeOyPb36Ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Neil Durham introduced House Bill 588 to the Senate Transportation Committee to create a statutory definition for “motorized scooters” and to authorize their regulated use on Montana roadways.

The bill would define a motorized scooter as a vehicle without a seat that may be propelled solely or in part by human power or by an independent power source, with a power capability that “may not be capable of propelling the speed or device at a speed exceeding 30 miles per hour on a level surface.” Durham told the committee his intent is to place motorized scooters in the same regulatory class as bicycles and mopeds so law enforcement would have explicit authority to allow or curtail their use.

Durham said much of the bill is definitional and pointed committee members to the sections where the definition appears. He described common rental-style stand‑on scooters and single‑wheel personal devices, and told the committee the bill would permit their operation on public highways when authorized by statute.

Committee members focused questions on safety equipment and enforcement. Senator Fern asked whether devices should be visible from the rear at night; Durham supported adding a requirement for a rear taillight or reflector and said he would welcome an amendment to strengthen lamp requirements. Durham also proposed amending Montana’s helmet statute (61‑9‑417, as referenced during the hearing) to include motorized scooters and some types of electric bicycles to require helmets for minors consistent with the existing helmet age threshold.

Rob Stapley, rail transit and planning division administrator with the Montana Department of Transportation, was present to answer technical questions. Stapley confirmed the department oversees alternative transportation modes including bicycles and scooters and said he was available for committee questions but did not propose additional substantive changes.

Senators asked whether registration or licensing fees would apply; Durham said the intent was that motorized scooters would fall into the same registration classification as bicycles and mopeds, which currently carries no registration fee. Senators also asked whether specific device types such as Segway‑style or single‑wheel devices were covered; Durham said the definition could be clarified to list wheel counts but he did not consider that necessary for the bill's intent and that an amendment addressing those concerns would not adversely affect the measure.

The bill text would also limit sidewalk or bicycle‑path motorized operation to human propulsion only, to prevent higher‑speed motorized use on sidewalks. Durham told the committee he has an amendment under preparation to include motor scooters in additional sections of statute on page 9 of the bill text and that the amendment would be available for executive action after engrossment.

No proponents or opponents appeared in the room; Durham and Stapley answered committee questions. The committee did not take a final vote on HB 588 during this hearing; an amendment was reported as being prepared and the sponsor asked the committee to consider it when the bill is scheduled for executive action.

Next steps: Durham said an amendment would be available for executive action on the bill; the committee left the item pending that amendment and potential executive action at a later date.","Representative Neil Durham introduced House Bill 588 to the Senate Transportation Committee to create a statutory definition for “motorized scooters” and to authorize their regulated use on Montana roadways.",{"_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},6629865,"Senate Transportation Committee: votes and outcomes for measures heard this week",1794,3525000,5319000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2702243-bfc0a199040826cf1374e1fd00ee1cf6&start=3525&end=5319","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2702243-bfc0a199040826cf1374e1fd00ee1cf6/thumbnail_3525000.jpg","/articles/6629865/Montana/Senate-Transportation-Committee-votes-and-outcomes-for-measures-heard-this-week","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629865-4ea6c64a8bac1455140f6e79b8ce2986/orig.mp4?Expires=1775347709&Signature=Z7XouSzX7GI5NN1dO-pELgW2qOwGX06Cj8mHu9c9e8raN-dCAnEi-J2pPRg1~p1ID6rUDHFgpRL4gmE6mCz8QSLeaBa9Wmp1-s1GzO6f-cF8gWHju4jCk0HNiypZxA1~lNlsj0ZFF75DCy5DOitclUN23njelzjSszCCqLog02GK5ye2tk~ZDpyBuDYyjaHrPOkX1GDwPLulZCCRQUcWlfM2Ezy1jLdwgBffzSuGhDTIDCPv-Rt6~PN5nuWVvhXbIVkbw07K6RXsLwYgkq3e32UfBqCpGyo0rygb6O1KApARLkQ41QBE2UNnzBu~fkT5kwKsLmt150QLrmaf50fxtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Transportation Committee recorded actions on a number of measures following hearings. Below are the items the committee discussed and the outcomes recorded in the committee transcript.

House Bill 586 — Child passenger safety: Committee concurrence recorded after committee rejected an amendment that would have restored more prescriptive language. Amendment HB0586.002.001 failed on a recorded tie. Committee then voted to concur on HB 586 (recorded concurrence). Senator Fern agreed to carry the bill to the floor.

Senate Joint Resolution 19 — Interim study on public transportation: Passed on a voice vote; no objections reported. (Moved by Senator Olson; hearing held earlier in the week.)

House Bill 487 — Eliminating requirement that MDT have certain divisions: Committee concurred; the transcript lists concurrence and indicates a carrier was selected for floor action.

House Bill 341 — Revised laws related to brain injuries (\"Abbey's bill\"): Committee concurred. The bill authorizes a $1 opt‑in/opt‑out or opt‑out contribution for traumatic brain injury support via motor vehicle registration (details in bill text); county treasurers must post notice of opt‑out at registration offices.

House Bill 165 — Notaries not required for vehicle title transfer: Committee concurred with the bill; the transcript recorded a roll call of 6 yes, 2 no.

House Bill 223 — Motor vehicle insurance laws to include commercial tow truck costs: Committee discussion occurred and the vice chair withdrew the concurrence motion to revisit the measure with the sponsor; no final action recorded.

House Bill 235 — Voluntary cancellation and suspension of vehicle registration: Committee concurred by voice vote (no opposition recorded during the committee action).

House Bill 312 — Revised speed limit laws (affects a single roadway segment): Committee concurred by voice vote; committee members noted local context and limited scope.

Other items: The committee scheduled consideration of governor’s appointments for an upcoming meeting and discussed logistics and scheduling of executive actions for pending bills.

Notes: Vote counts and proxies recorded in committee minutes were captured in the transcript; the committee used a mix of voice votes and recorded roll calls depending on the item and requests by members.","The committee held hearings and took executive actions on multiple measures. This roundup lists the committee’s recorded actions, outcomes and brief notes about each item as reflected in the transcript.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee restores original child‑passenger safety language and concurs on bill to update restraint requirements

Bill would legalize and define motorized scooters on Montana roads; committee heard safety, helmet and lighting questions

Senate Transportation Committee: votes and outcomes for measures heard this week