All Roll Calls
Yes: 379 • No: 114
MontanaHB 58869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House
Defining and regulating motorized scooters
Sponsored By: Neil Duram (Republican)
Became Law
Motor Vehicles
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.
40 days to title with temp tag
If you buy a transferred vehicle, you have 40 calendar days to apply for title and pay registration and local taxes. You may not drive it on public roads during that period unless you display a valid temporary permit. If you bought from a private seller, you can drive without a current decal or receipt during that window as long as the temp permit is displayed.
Breaking scooter rules is a misdemeanor
Breaking the bike, moped, and scooter rules is a misdemeanor. You can face criminal charges for doing what the law forbids or failing to do what it requires.
Lights, brakes, and helmets for safety
At dawn, dusk, or night, your bike, moped, or scooter must have a front white light visible 500 feet. It must have a rear red light or red reflector and side reflective material visible 500 feet. Your brakes must stop you within 25 feet from 10 mph on dry, level pavement. Riders and passengers under 18 on streets or highways must wear a helmet that meets state standards.
Safety conduct rules for scooter riders
Do not grab or attach your scooter, bike, or similar ride to any vehicle on the roadway. Keep at least one hand on the handlebars; do not carry items that stop you from doing that. Racing on a highway is illegal unless the event is approved and follows safety and traffic‑control rules.
Scooter definition and vehicle class rules
The law defines a motorized scooter as a no‑seat device with power capped at 30 mph on level ground. Scooters are not “motor vehicles.” Scooters with motors of 5 horsepower or less count as motor‑driven cycles, so some cycle rules apply.
Scooter rules for roads and sidewalks
You may not run a moped or powered scooter on sidewalks or bike paths. You can push them by hand and must yield to pedestrians. On highways, many bicycle rules apply to scooters. You have the same rights and duties as other drivers unless a special rule says otherwise. Scooters do not need a permanent seat.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Neil Duram
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/17/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 89 • No: 10
House vote • 4/16/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 98 • No: 0
House vote • 4/3/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 37 • No: 13
House vote • 4/2/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 39 • No: 10
House vote • 3/5/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 56 • No: 42
House vote • 3/4/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 60 • No: 39
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/19/2025HouseSigned by Governor
5/13/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
5/7/2025HouseSigned by President
5/6/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
5/2/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
4/23/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
4/18/2025House3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate
4/17/2025House2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred
4/16/2025HouseReturned to House with Amendments
4/3/2025Senate3rd Reading Concurred
4/3/2025Senate2nd Reading Concurred
4/2/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended
3/24/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended
3/21/2025SenateHearing
3/17/2025SenateReferred to Committee
3/6/2025SenateTransmitted to Senate
3/5/2025House3rd Reading Passed
3/5/2025House2nd Reading Passed
3/4/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Passed
2/27/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed
2/26/2025HouseHearing
2/21/2025HouseFirst Reading
2/20/2025HouseReferred to Committee
2/20/2025HouseIntroduced
2/19/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/22/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
3/25/2025
Introduced
2/19/2025