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Committee backs bill to extend CDL waiver to part‑time reservists
Summary
House Transportation voted to advance HB 708, which extends an existing Montana waiver that lets qualified military veterans and service members skip CDL skills or knowledge tests to part‑time reservists, aligning state law with federal guidance, sponsors and MVD witnesses said.
Representative George Nicolaus introduced House Bill 708, a narrowly tailored change asking the committee to remove the word "full‑time" from the statute and allow part‑time reservists to qualify for the motor vehicle division's waiver of certain commercial driver's license tests.
Brigadier General Renee Dorval, deputy director for the Department of Military Affairs, told the committee training for military motor transport operators is equivalent across active, guard and reserve components and urged support to recognize that parity. "The traditional guard member and reserve motor transport operator are every bit as capable as their active duty and full‑time counterparts," Dorval said.
Motor Vehicle Division witnesses, including Allen Doane (Department of Justice) and Russ Christoffersen (Motor Carrier Services enforcement chief), said federal rules already allow waivers for military service members and that aligning state law with federal definitions would let reservists obtain CDLs more quickly without undermining safety.
Committee members discussed the statutory language and asked the sponsor to consult with legal staff about definitions that distinguish reserve components and National Guard status; the sponsor agreed to review the code. The committee approved HB 708 to proceed to second reading.
What happens next: HB 708 was reported do‑pass and will move to the House floor for further consideration on second reading.
