PRIA Logo™
MontanaHB 76469th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revise public transit laws

Sponsored By: Brian Close (Democrat)

Became Law

CountiesTransportationHighways and Roads

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Homeowners can exit unserved transit districts

The law defines direct transit service as service within 1.5 miles of a property. If an area has not had direct service in the last 5 years, it can leave a district when 51% of qualified voters in that area sign a petition. Removal takes effect 60 days after filing unless signatures are insufficient. Residents in unserved added areas can also petition; if rejected for lack of signatures, they have 90 days to fix and resubmit. Property added to a district is generally liable for the district’s existing debt. If a removed area was added within the last 5 years or has not had direct service in the last 5 years, its property is not liable for existing district debt. Property owners may also petition to join a district, subject to board approval.

City bus taxes and borrowing rules

A city or town may levy a yearly property tax to pay for municipal bus service. Any amount above the limit in 15-10-420 must be approved by voters under 15-10-425. Cities may borrow or issue bonds to buy, run, or lease buses in town and up to 8 miles beyond. Total bus-service debt cannot exceed the state limit in 7-7-4201, and borrowing requires a majority vote of taxpayers. Service can go beyond 8 miles only when outside funding pays for it or to meet an interlocal agreement.

Cities can run and contract buses

City councils manage and operate municipal bus systems and set safety rules. They may require drivers to yield to buses reentering traffic and enforce those rules. Cities can seek bids and sign contracts, leases, or lease-and-operate deals with independent carriers to run service.

Rules to start or expand transit districts

A county or voters can start or enlarge a transit district. A county resolution must include a map and call a public hearing. A voter petition must have signatures from at least 20% of registered electors, or it is void. The election administrator has 30 days to certify the petition. The clerk then presents it to commissioners, who must hold a hearing with notice of time, date, place, purpose, and boundaries. A hearing cannot be adjourned more than 2 weeks past the published date. After the hearing, commissioners must send the question to voters under state election law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Brian Close

    Democrat • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 461 • No: 125

House vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 80 • No: 18

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 34 • No: 14

House vote • 4/9/2025

AMD-HB0764.002.001 Pope D/PASS

Yes: 20 • No: 29

House vote • 4/9/2025

AMD-HB0764.002.002 Hertz D/PASS

Yes: 33 • No: 16

House vote • 4/9/2025

Do Concur As Amended

Yes: 34 • No: 15

House vote • 3/7/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 83 • No: 16

House vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 78 • No: 17

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/13/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/8/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/1/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/1/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/29/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/23/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/18/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate

    4/18/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred

    4/17/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/11/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/11/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading Concurred as Amended

    4/9/2025Senate

  13. 2nd Reading Motion to Amend Failed

    4/9/2025Senate

  14. 2nd Reading Motion to Amend Carried

    4/9/2025Senate

  15. Committee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/8/2025Senate

  16. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/7/2025Senate

  17. Hearing

    3/19/2025Senate

  18. Referred to Committee

    3/18/2025Senate

  19. First Reading

    3/14/2025Senate

  20. Transmitted to Senate

    3/7/2025House

  21. 3rd Reading Passed

    3/7/2025House

  22. 2nd Reading Passed

    3/6/2025House

  23. Committee Report--Bill Passed

    3/4/2025House

  24. Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed

    3/4/2025House

  25. Fiscal Note Printed

    3/4/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/22/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    4/9/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    4/8/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/25/2025

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation