House Bill 43 aims to revise and clarify motor vehicle traffic regulation laws in Montana by introducing new definitions and updating existing regulations. A key insertion is the definition of "paved shoulder," which refers to the portion of the shoulder adjacent to the roadway that is continuous and level with the roadway. The bill emphasizes the inclusion of bicycles on paved shoulders, outlines the requirements for yielding to emergency vehicles, and specifies the rules for meeting or passing school buses. Notably, it clarifies that drivers are not required to stop for school buses on separate roadways or controlled-access highways under certain conditions.

In addition to these definitions, the bill amends penalties for violations related to school bus safety, increasing fines and community service for repeat offenders. It establishes a reporting process for individuals to report violations, which may prompt investigations by law enforcement. The bill also includes provisions for law enforcement agencies to take custody of abandoned vehicles and clarifies the conditions under which private landowners can remove such vehicles. Overall, House Bill 43 seeks to enhance safety and consistency in traffic regulations, providing clearer guidelines for motorists and law enforcement alike.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_1(1): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_1(2): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_1(3): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_1(4): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_1(5): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_1(6): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_1(7): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_1: 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_2(1): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_2(10): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_2(11): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_2(12): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_2(13): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_2(2): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_2(3): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_2(4): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_2(5): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_2(6): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_2(7): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_2(8): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_2(9): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_2: 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_3(1): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_3(2): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_3(3): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_3(4): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_3(5): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_3(6): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_3: 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_X(1): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_X(2): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_X(3): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_X(4): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_X(5): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_X(6): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_X(7): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_X(8): 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401
HB0043_X: 49-4-302, 61-6-301, 61-8-101, 61-8-102, 61-8-351, 61-8-387, 61-8-605, 61-12-401