MontanaSB 30969th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate

Eliminate the Scenic-Historic Byways Advisory Council

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Local byway rules and property rights

The rules help towns improve trips, boost local business, and protect scenic and historic places. The rules list factors to judge a road’s scenic, historic, cultural, archaeological, educational, and natural qualities. Corridor plans are vision tools only; they are not zoning or highway management documents. Plans must allow commerce, keep roads safe, and protect private property rights, with compensation by mutual agreement if needed. Cities can exclude roads inside their borders, and landowners can exclude a road next to their property. The rules must explain how to do these exclusions.

Signs and ads along byway routes

Localities can exclude highway segments that do not meet the state’s byway criteria. In those excluded areas, they may allow off-premises ads like billboards, if federal, state, or local law allows them. Along designated routes, recognized information signs are allowed and all signs must follow federal and state highway sign laws.

State scenic byways program and council

The law creates a state scenic-historic byways program. The Transportation Commission can add or remove roads, but only if affected local governments and road agencies agree. The commission appoints an advisory council of up to 11 experts, including one from the state chamber of commerce. The Transportation Department spends program funds only when the commission directs it. The department must write rules and include a path to join the national scenic byways program. Some roads across certain federal lands may also qualify.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Becky Beard
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Steve Fitzpatrick
Republican • House
Zack Wirth
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 270 • No: 27

Senate vote • 3/25/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 96 • No: 3

Senate vote • 3/24/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 96 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/3/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 42 • No: 8

Senate vote • 3/1/2025