Committee tables driver‑privacy bill after industry warns of legal risks, sponsor offers amendments

Representative Bob Carter opened House Bill 662, the Montana Driver Privacy Protection Act, saying the bill keeps vehicle, license and registration information from unscrupulous actors while preserving law‑enforcement access and safety uses. Carter described mail solicitations and scams and said the bill would reduce harm to consumers.

Opponents included Michael Wells of S&P Global (parent of R.L. Polk and CARFAX), the Consumer Data Industry Association and Relix Corporation. They warned the draft included private rights of action and class‑action language duplicative of federal law, could invite frivolous lawsuits, and might punish lawful users of DMV data such as insurers, dealerships and safety‑recall vendors. The opponents said much of the unwanted mail does not come from state motor‑vehicle records and urged a narrowly tailored amendment.

The sponsor acknowledged the concerns and worked with stakeholders on amendment language that struck a class‑action provision and added a prohibition on using motor‑vehicle records for marketing extended vehicle‑service contracts. DMV Vehicle Services Bureau chief Michael Walker answered questions about what records are available and whether the agency could enforce the rule under current resources; he said enforcement paths would require programming and follow‑up.

After debate and an amendment process, the committee adopted an amendment clarifying prohibited marketing uses but a substitute motion to table HB 662 passed; the bill was tabled in committee for further drafting and stakeholder negotiation.

What’s next: HB 662 was tabled; sponsors and industry representatives said they will continue to negotiate amendment language to preserve consumer privacy while protecting legitimate data uses.