Senate committee hears bill to reserve green flashing lights for snowplows, incident commanders

Senate Bill 111, introduced to the Montana Senate Highways and Transportation Committee in Helena, would restrict the use of green flashing lights on public highways to snow-removal equipment operated by the Montana Department of Transportation, county and city snowplows, and on-scene incident commanders. Sponsor Senator Stanley Logie framed the bill as a technical clarification to restore the measure’s original intent.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Stanley Logie, said the green light was added in earlier sessions because “the green light seemed to break through that snow,” improving visibility for snowplows when amber lights can be obscured. Logie said he observed last summer that some construction workers in work zones had begun using green lights and called the bill’s drafter to correct what he described as a “glitch” in the earlier language.

The bill drew support from industry groups and members of the public. Duane Williams, executive director of the Montana Trucking Association, said the association supports clarifying that the lights identify snowplows to improve safety. “With the trucking industry, we like good clear roads… anything to help identify the snowplows, that’s the snowplows, to make it safer for them, we’re all about,” Williams said. David Smith, executive director of the Montana Contractors Association, said he had seen non‑plow vehicles using green flashing lights and supported narrowing the allowance. A member of the public, Kayla Matteson, spoke in support, calling the lights “vital and very important.”

John Swartz, maintenance administrator for the Montana Department of Transportation, provided information to the committee and answered questions but did not recommend policy changes beyond the bill’s clarifying language.

Committee members asked procedural and impact questions. Senator Olson raised scheduling and notice concerns; Senator Lokey asked whether anyone would be harmed by the clarification and whether private-sector uses would be affected. Senator Logie said he was not aware of organized opposition tied to the bill’s substance but acknowledged technical issues with hearing notices. Logie said the intent is to make clear that green lights should be associated with snowplows so motorists recognize the vehicle type.

Senator Logie closed by asking the committee for a “do pass.” The hearing was closed with no recorded committee vote; committee members said executive action on the bill could occur at a future meeting (the sponsor and chair indicated possible action on Friday but no vote or final outcome was recorded at this hearing).