Montana hearing examines bill to bar short-term parking fees for small private aircraft

HELENA — Lawmakers heard competing views Tuesday on House Bill 7‑31, a measure from Representative Shane Clacken that would prohibit specified short-term parking fees at publicly funded Montana airports for “light” private aircraft.

The bill, as presented by Rep. Shane Clacken, would exempt aircraft with a maximum gross weight of 9,000 pounds or less and operating under Federal Aviation Regulation part 91 from parking charges for up to one hour. Clacken told the Senate committee the measure was intended to let pilots make brief, unscheduled stops — for example to use a restroom or drop off a passenger — without being charged what proponents called “predatory” fees.

Supporters said fixed-base operators, or FBOs, are increasingly charging high, inconsistent ramp or transient parking fees that fall most heavily on small, noncommercial pilots. Jack Galt, a proponent, described being billed $325 after a stop in Bozeman he said lasted less than 30 minutes. "We were charged on the ramp in Bozeman $325 for the use of that time for very little time," Galt said.

"This bill is about making sure local Montanans, the ones that fly, the little Cessnas and Piper…