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Committee hears bill to allow vehicle title transfers with affidavit, remove notary requirement
Summary
The House Transportation Committee heard testimony on HB165, which would permit transfers of vehicle titles using an affidavit under the state's unsworn declarations law and prohibit the Motor Vehicle Division from requiring notarization. Supporters said the change reduces rural barriers and smooths the move to electronic titling; DOT staff described verification tools and low rates of title fraud.
Representative Ken Walsh, sponsor of House Bill 165, told the House Transportation Committee the bill would allow transfers of ownership for titled vehicles — including cars, trailers and boats — using an affidavit under the state's unsworn declarations statute rather than requiring notarization. Walsh said the measure is a "red tape reduction bill" to help rural residents and to facilitate electronic titling.
Supporters included Bruce Knudsen, executive vice president of the Montana Auto Dealers Association, who said he surveyed peers in other states and found no practical problems with affidavit-based transfers. Local bankers and lenders, including Todd Devlin (Prairie County commissioner) and Craig Lowe (Bank…
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