House Bill 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," and aims to unify definitions related to abandonment for consistency with the bill drafting manual. It also repeals certain sections, including those related to the abandonment of designated highways, to streamline the legal framework. Key provisions include the Department of Transportation's responsibility to identify potentially abandoned railroad rights-of-way, preserve essential branch lines, and negotiate for easements, while ensuring that abandoned rights-of-way held in trust are managed by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation until needed for transportation purposes.

Additionally, the bill amends various sections of the MCA to clarify processes related to the acceptance and abandonment of county roads and highways. It establishes requirements for public hearings before abandoning highways and outlines the commission's authority regarding maintenance responsibilities. The legislation also emphasizes the use of sustainable materials in highway construction and revises procedures for the sale and exchange of unnecessary highway property, ensuring fair market value assessments and public notifications. Overall, the bill aims to enhance clarity, consistency, and transparency in Montana's highway and transportation laws.

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(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: 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