House Bill No. 42 seeks to revise and clarify highway and transportation laws under Title 60 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA). The bill introduces new definitions, such as "railbed" and "recreational interest," to enhance clarity and consistency within the law. It also repeals sections related to the abandonment of designated highways and certain definitions, streamlining the legal framework. Key provisions include the Department of Transportation's responsibility to identify potentially abandoned railroad rights-of-way, preserve certain branch lines, and negotiate for the acquisition of easements. Additionally, the bill establishes that abandoned rights-of-way held in trust must be administered by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation until needed for transportation purposes.

The bill further aims to unify definitions related to abandonment and reorganize existing definitions for consistency with the bill drafting manual. Notably, it revises the definition of "abandonment" to align with section 60-1-103 and introduces new procedures for right-of-way abandonment, including public hearings and notifications to county commissioners. The bill emphasizes the need for reasonable access and outlines conditions under which the commission may approve abandonment actions. Overall, House Bill No. 42 seeks to improve the management and operation of transportation services in Montana while ensuring the preservation of important rail infrastructure.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_1(1): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_1(2): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_1(3): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_1(4): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_1(5): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_1(6): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_1(7): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_1: 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_2(1): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_2(10): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_2(11): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_2(12): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_2(2): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_2(3): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_2(4): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_2(5): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_2(6): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_2(7): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_2(8): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_2(9): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_2: 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_3(1): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_3(10): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_3(11): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_3(2): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_3(3): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_3(4): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_3(5): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_3(6): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_3(7): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_3(8): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_3(9): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_3: 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_X(1): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_X(10): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_X(2): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_X(3): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_X(4): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_X(5): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_X(6): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_X(7): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_X(8): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_X(9): 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111
HB0042_X: 7-14-2101, 7-14-2601, 22-3-1101, 60-1-103, 60-2-107, 60-2-112, 60-2-115, 60-2-134, 60-2-220, 60-2-240, 60-3-206, 60-3-211, 60-4-201, 60-4-202, 60-4-203, 60-4-209, 60-4-213, 60-4-214, 60-4-215, 60-4-216, 60-4-217, 60-4-218, 60-4-401, 60-4-601, 60-5-102, 60-6-106, 60-11-111