House committee approves bill to create Montana rail inspection program

The House Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee voted to recommend House Bill 103 on Oct. 12, 2025. The proposal would create a Montana rail inspection program, establish a Montana rail inspection special revenue account, provide a statutory appropriation, and set reporting and rulemaking authority.

The sponsor presented the bill as a targeted measure to increase inspections and oversight of the state's rail network. Committee members expressed support and concern about hazardous materials oversight. One committee member asked why the bill did not include a hazmat inspector, citing recent derailments involving hazardous materials. The sponsor responded that hazmat-specific authority was not included in HB103 and suggested additional, targeted legislation could address hazmat needs.

Several members voiced support for the bill's approach to increase staffing and attention for rail safety. "We know we've got to get more people, more money, and more inspectors out there because our rail system is massive," Representative Sharp said. Representative Griffith said data in the bill highlighted low inspector coverage: "The page with the graph that showed the robo tracks per mile per state in Montana simply just didn't have anything," Griffith said, describing concern about liability and safety.

Representative Fielder noted the bill uses the railcar tax to fund the inspection program: "Presently the railcar tax comes from the rail system... this uses that railcar tax to fund this railcar and railroad inspection program."

After brief discussion, the committee called for the question and took a voice vote. Proxies were recorded for absent members; the clerk reported 14 ayes and no noes. The committee's recommendation will be transmitted to the full House. The bill text authorizes rulemaking, reporting and a statutory appropriation to the special revenue account created by the bill.