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Driver‑privacy bill faces industry pushback and is tabled after committee debate
Summary
Sponsors sought to tighten access to motor‑vehicle records to stop extended warranty and vehicle‑service contract solicitations; industry representatives warned of unintended private‑rights and enforcement problems, and the committee ultimately tabled HB 662 pending amendment work.
Representative Bob Carter described HB 662 as an update to Montana’s Driver Privacy Protection Act to limit use of vehicle and registration records for marketing extended vehicle service contracts while preserving necessary access for recalls and law‑enforcement functions. He said the goal is to reduce predatory mailings and deceptive solicitations.
Opponents including S&P / R.L. Polk (parent of CARFAX), the Consumer Data Industry Association and Relx voiced concerns that the draft creates redundant private rights of action, vague definitions of harm and could expose compliant businesses to litigation. Industry witnesses said much of the offending mailings originate from parties that do not acquire data from state motor‑vehicle records and proposed targeted amendments to remove private‑action class claims and to narrow definitions. Sponsor said he would work with opponents on amendment language and expressed willingness to revise the private‑action language if it preserves enforcement tools.
After debate about enforcement mechanisms, class actions and DMV implementation questions (including how MVD would enforce a marketing ban and whether the DMV has the technical capacity to block certain uses), the committee voted to table HB 662 to allow stakeholders and the sponsor to craft agreed amendments.
