House Transportation committee advances bill to eliminate Scenic Historic Byways advisory council

Senator Becky Beard introduced Senate Bill 309, saying the measure would eliminate the Scenic Historic Byways Advisory Council and that "no applications have been received since 2010."

The bill sponsor told the House Transportation Committee the state program was established in 1999 and that designation primarily places routes on the state tourism map. Rob Stapley, rail transit and planning division administrator with the Montana Department of Transportation, testified that the council has not been active: "There are no other duties or work assigned to this council," Stapley said, and he confirmed the department has not incurred costs to support the council because it has not met.

Stapley noted the department annually forwards three names to the Transportation Commission to serve as byway advisory council members but that "since there has been no work for this council for the last 15 years, we would like to remove this requirement to be more efficient and effective with our time and the time of our commission." Committee members asked whether the council submitted reports or incurred mileage or other costs; Stapley said there had been no meetings and no expenses.

During executive action the committee clarified the bill removes the advisory council but does not remove any byway designations themselves. The committee moved and passed the measure by voice vote with proxies recorded; the motion passed unanimously. Vice Chair Wirth will carry the bill on the House floor.

The committee did not discuss creation of new funding or maintenance programs for designated byways; Stapley said there is currently no state funding for byway management or maintenance. The committee will next consider SB 309 on the House floor after concurrence is carried by the designated bill carrier.