[{"_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",6625961,"mediaKeyId","2755203-d7b8b92d8e2bab90dfca0196437c037d","parentId",2755203,"title","Committee concurs on memorial highway honoring Little Shell elder Jim Loud Thunder Gopher","audioSeconds",1469,"startMs",3709000,"endMs",5178000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2755203-d7b8b92d8e2bab90dfca0196437c037d&start=3709&end=5178","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2755203-d7b8b92d8e2bab90dfca0196437c037d/thumbnail_3709000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6625961/Montana/Committee-concurs-on-memorial-highway-honoring-Little-Shell-elder-Jim-Loud-Thunder-Gopher","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625961-58d8f328a8ca58873f8ac64a627b1d47/orig.mp4?Expires=1773606374&Signature=mWZJeU-nFRz~ga3QsX9gP2eLnhmXq55pu~GEyhgnc5CW3j4eHJ2aufNoNKx-H7oNIGVkYC~A699uiHjyw7i-e1QkBLEx2K3GiVXwULkkTVU8z-XO5iM0OvgzM8XMriqgUqmvAlbWsRALEIGlehamUXOPzarlYotpSOaWpgF4r9Ag-xYeCJj59A7op4XagRC6zucWphw-N3FESV45q2d-nMQAOckVAWQGOtuPcuV2QAjhfCn~kDyLlhFSSi4ylI1q3KXnw1uNWmaOkCqPecaTUCMAcH19W29sSeMTooJWOmjSm7~OZ8r~4CbcHhNqId8z2u7oweHMmbk9qyiXqeYNRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-24T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Highways and Transportation Committee voted unanimously to concur on House Bill 448, a bill to name a section of road in Cascade County the Jim Loud Thunder Gopher Memorial Highway.

Rep. Jane Weber introduced the bill and said descendants and tribal officials requested the designation to honor Jim Loud Thunder Gopher, an Ojibwe community leader connected to Hill 57 and civic organizing in Great Falls. Multiple family members and tribal representatives traveled to Helena to testify in support.

Mary Gopher Parenteau (enrolled member, Little Shell Tribe) described Loud Thunder’s local leadership, including organizing and maintaining cultural ties and historical artifacts such as a flag brought from Canada. Richard Perra and Daniel Pocha testified about Loud Thunder’s cultural work, his role in sustaining community ties on Hill 57, and the educational value of recognizing the leader with a memorial highway.

Representative Tyson Running (Montana American Indian Caucus) and representatives of Western Native Voice and several tribal communities offered additional support, saying the designation would honor a leader whose work helped maintain culture and civic participation. Jasmine Krotkov, a former downtown representative, testified that a named highway offers a public pedagogical value: a highway sign prompts passerby curiosity about the person honored.

John Swartz of the Montana Department of Transportation testified informationally that the fiscal note for installing two signs was approximately $3,300 and that MDT could cover that cost under its existing operational budget.

After public testimony the committee moved to concur on the bill. The committee took a voice vote; the chair announced the motion carried and later recorded that Sen. Kasmar and Sen. Logie were \"aye by proxy.\" The transcript indicates the concurrence passed unanimously.

The bill will move forward with a committee member identified to carry it on the Senate floor.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Highway and Transportation - Mar 24, 2025 16:15 - 19:15","oneSentenceSummary","The committee unanimously concurred on House Bill 448 to establish the Jim Loud Thunder Gopher Memorial Highway in Cascade County; family members and tribal representatives testified in support and MDT provided a small fiscal estimate for signs.","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},6625966,"Bill would require motorists to slow or yield to slow agricultural vehicles; proponents cite safety concerns",840,2853000,3693000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2755203-d7b8b92d8e2bab90dfca0196437c037d&start=2853&end=3693","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2755203-d7b8b92d8e2bab90dfca0196437c037d/thumbnail_2853000.jpg","/articles/6625966/Montana/Bill-would-require-motorists-to-slow-or-yield-to-slow-agricultural-vehicles-proponents-cite-safety-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625966-aa1f7229b15f64c8b108be57055df506/orig.mp4?Expires=1773606374&Signature=BS4Q-ZaDUie--bxkN5Rf2-9Bvk8FoWiTEjKZsWx2nQgkb6R5Fbh1p7YtQFNyCs9x16KUwLbCq1VAWCrbRBJISx4ogQ9DxVN9sWSQgYGXCqTb0Sz2--~X3VEPOiHAfAxZkBjF2P1XfpRUrtO9w7Br6JUSb7nzG7HeveZ-g8jjkNKwdLblHNHjRip628Ic0g4RAqOOXrtXvR2WxppPrpqbwUSDBcrf5EdzSUAHdlDxpwk6zqzVxMJj~u-xeE0CN4zDdFue9JCgqNlB8fZ92pGoY-yecv1MDNkdHzFbOKGgKPrStZJeg~l5RjZjD7The-5nVveM3bNpWWN8NGCnPKWKoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate committee heard testimony on House Bill 739, a bill that would require motorists to slow down when approaching agricultural vehicles and, when safe, to move over to allow them to pass.

Rep. Edward Byrne, who introduced the bill, described practical provisions: motorists approaching an agricultural vehicle in a 70 mph zone would be required to slow to half speed (example given in testimony: slowing to about 35 mph) and give the agricultural vehicle space to move or be given the right of way. The sponsor said the bill mirrors elements of existing \"move over\" protections used for construction and roadside workers and aims to reduce dangerous passing and collisions when farm equipment travels on highways.

Proponents included Miles Passmore (Kalispell), who described repeated dangerous passing maneuvers by motorists, and other ag witnesses who said wide equipment and seasonal traffic in tourism corridors make safe passage difficult. Witnesses explained farmers’ practices: limiting road travel to off‑peak hours, using slow‑moving vehicle emblems, and pulling over when safe, but noted that suitable pullouts are often scarce on rural highways.

John Swartz, maintenance administrator at the Montana Department of Transportation, participated informationally and said the department would review the bill language for signage and message suitability under the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. He noted prior use of variable message signs and public service announcements (PSAs) as educational tools and that electronic signs do not cover the entire 25,000 miles of state‑maintained roads.

Committee members asked about existing local county policies (Missoula and Lake counties were cited) and about MDT capacity for signs and outreach. Sponsor Byrne and witnesses emphasized that the bill places onus both on agricultural drivers to pull over when safe and on motorists to exercise caution when passing.

The committee took testimony and questions; the hearing record in the provided transcript ends with the sponsor urging a due‑pass recommendation. No final committee vote on HB739 is recorded in the provided transcript.","House Bill 739 would require drivers to slow down and, where safe, yield or pull over for agricultural vehicles. Proponents described near‑misses and dangerous passing; the department of transportation said signage and public education would be needed if the law changes.",{"_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},6625971,"Committee hears mixed testimony on bill limiting certain farm‑vehicle liability",2155,691000,2846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2755203-d7b8b92d8e2bab90dfca0196437c037d&start=691&end=2846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2755203-d7b8b92d8e2bab90dfca0196437c037d/thumbnail_691000.jpg","/articles/6625971/Montana/Committee-hears-mixed-testimony-on-bill-limiting-certain-farmvehicle-liability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625971-64976bfa35f249289d682a339131b1a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773606374&Signature=W7tsUM6Ab63RtTS0nsRjETEmFd~wBCLEZbCbGOmDOt06rjz~5L32sRgm~OvQ68VkSD1P3T76PRrlvpsbHAxoUzKo3a1qKabhT6gIEQd4i3OfBuBgL6ctkdUuiFPfgzvBeejAFRlKEp~qewPtzqmQGmAz8Sqg2a85NrLIBM0WDlWMpLtsSJvvXW~PvZe5qhE4aWU8IDlpmpALpeue1e3CRz~pQMg80CM9Uhm9O9zHja3Nnwjz~6C4u-Gg3cpQYr~1knjjf1BlC4mFQVEKCefEFYdrjapbB2o8oWVT3Gg8FrFjytWByWKCK-di0QNgSCr5kxywrRJSH6v8wQfy9zTj7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Highways and Transportation Committee held a hearing on House Bill 212, a proposal that would update definitions for agricultural operations and limit certain liability exposures for farmers and ranchers when agricultural vehicles use public roads.

Rep. Edward Byrne, the bill’s sponsor, told the committee the measure updates Montana Code definitions related to agricultural operations and aims to provide protections for farmers and ranchers who must move large equipment on public roads. Byrne said the bill responds to increased congestion in parts of the state — particularly the Flathead Valley — and to repeated instances where farm operators were later sued after road incidents.

Several proponents testified that the bill would protect agricultural producers who frequently move large equipment. Mark Taylor (Montana Ranch) and Miles Passmore (Flathead Valley) described operational constraints, citing examples of equipment being struck on roadways and the practical difficulties of avoiding busy traffic windows in the summer. The Montana Farm Bureau Federation and the Montana Grain Growers Association also voiced support, saying the bill would provide a financial safeguard for agricultural operations.

Opponents focused on constitutional and civil‑justice implications. Attorney Hal Smith argued that capping non‑economic damages raises Montana constitutional concerns, citing Article II, Section 16 (the right to a remedy for injury) and recent judicial decisions addressing damage caps in medical malpractice cases. Smith warned that limits on non‑economic damages could be found unconstitutional and cautioned that such caps might prove illusory while encouraging insured parties to reduce coverage in ways that could leave injured plaintiffs undercompensated.

An informational witness from the lieutenant governor’s office, Celia Rigler, described discussions with the sponsor and said the lieutenant governor’s office had concerns specifically about a proposed duty‑of‑care provision in the bill (new section 2); Rigler said removing that specific provision reduced the office’s concerns.

Committee members asked detailed questions about definitions in the bill, the scope of ‘‘agricultural vehicles,’’ and whether the bill would apply when agricultural products are loaded onto trains or semis for transport. Mr. Smith and other witnesses clarified that subsection language in the current draft narrows applicability to defined agricultural vehicles rather than to all stages of production and transport.

The hearing record shows robust debate but no committee final action on HB212 in the provided transcript; the committee closed the hearing after the sponsor’s closing remarks and reserved further action.

Key clarified details from the hearing include references to non‑economic damage caps discussed in testimony (figures discussed included $1,500,000 and $750,000 as statutory cap levels in prior code discussions) and the committee’s attention to preserving existing duties of care in Montana law.","Lawmakers and witnesses debated House Bill 212, which would expand definitions of agricultural operations and limit non‑economic liability in certain highway incidents involving farm vehicles; opponents warned of constitutional issues and potential insurance and recovery consequences.",{"_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},6625976,"Senate committee concurs on amended child safety restraint bill",345,323000,668000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2755203-d7b8b92d8e2bab90dfca0196437c037d&start=323&end=668","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2755203-d7b8b92d8e2bab90dfca0196437c037d/thumbnail_323000.jpg","/articles/6625976/Montana/Senate-committee-concurs-on-amended-child-safety-restraint-bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625976-158ed747ad87b27606c4ba9dc4e9916b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773606374&Signature=FcNxFgFU~4ia8fvxGNs8e9wmEYgpqXslnbjDSNs~YWFiQBuouBey-RvZ32tdnokX2l3VE0OdT3qhB30d62nnwxwN7NIGHBffnydiwZLvILWs7xk4mrz0ad5mUsjnAFQkUTOF99ulqWAPHIr8HO98HqYaWwR7HQbtfLMvvqsOCVsUKMIBjrR6Qo3ufiOmGj-Vb5P7hD4SKb60TnsCFeSo~pdr50~PPChPswPE285uSygYoWSUjgWTYOxFEidtbvTCvx~VH8fXWaYi6W6sV0OcjhQXSExHb~hh9kyAPjF7-LuiOYiM7scQG4ia66-1Va8DPT6mwJ6DMTB9xFggnmj3ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Highways and Transportation Committee voted to concur in House Bill 586, a bill revising child safety restraint system provisions, after adopting an amendment that restored the bill to its original text.

The amendment — identified in committee as House Bill 586.002 0.001 and described by staff as restoring the sponsor’s original language — was introduced by Sen. Fern and explained by Ms. Brown, who said it returns the bill’s prescriptive safety measures. The measure lays out recommended restraint-system standards across three age groups: birth to 2 years, 2 to 4 years, and 4 to 8 years.

Committee members discussed whether the original language was overly prescriptive. Sen. Fern urged restoring the original text, saying the sponsor had relied on statewide subject-matter expertise when drafting the bill and that returning to that text preserved the substance intended by the sponsor. Sen. Olson asked procedural questions about amendment identification and receipt of materials.

After brief discussion the committee took a voice vote on the amendment and then on the bill as amended. Chair Temple called for the voice votes; committee members answered \"aye\" and no opposition was recorded in the hearing transcript. The committee chair later announced that the motion carried.

The record indicates the amendment was sponsored by Sen. Fern and that the committee took a concurrence vote on House Bill 586 as amended. The transcript records members present and notes some members were excused; proxies are mentioned in the hearing record but full roll‑call tallies were not specified in the audio record provided.

The committee did not cite any statutes or external authorities in the discussion beyond references to the amendment and the bill text itself. The bill will proceed as a concurred item from committee to the next step in the Senate process.

Votes at a glance: the committee recorded a voice concurrence on House Bill 586 as amended; no numerical roll‑call tally was recorded in the provided transcript.","The Senate Highways and Transportation Committee voted to concur on House Bill 586 after approving an amendment that restored the bill to its original, age‑specific safety standards for child restraint systems.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee concurs on memorial highway honoring Little Shell elder Jim Loud Thunder Gopher

Bill would require motorists to slow or yield to slow agricultural vehicles; proponents cite safety concerns

Committee hears mixed testimony on bill limiting certain farm‑vehicle liability

Senate committee concurs on amended child safety restraint bill