Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] proposes significant changes to vehicle registration fees in Montana, introducing a new assessment fee based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the first year of registration for certain vehicles. The bill amends existing laws to create state special revenue accounts, specifically the Victims of Crime State Special Revenue Account and the Better Local Bridge Fund Account, which will allocate collected fees to support services for crime victims and provide grants for local government bridge projects. Notably, the bill repeals Section 61-3-111 and amends Sections 44-1-504, 61-3-112, and 61-3-321 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA).

Key provisions include a new fee structure for light vehicles and motor homes with MSRPs exceeding certain thresholds, where the annual registration fee will incorporate a percentage of the MSRP for the first year and a fixed fee for subsequent years. The bill also outlines a new framework for the Department of Justice regarding fund deposits into the general fund, with specific guidelines for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025. Additionally, it mandates a 2% annual inflation adjustment to the MSRP for certain vehicle fees starting January 1, 2027, and includes a provision for transferring $50 million from the general fund to the Better Local Bridge Fund Account by June 30, 2025. The effective dates for various sections of the bill are staggered, with some provisions taking effect immediately and others at later dates.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_1(1): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_1(2): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_1(3): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_1(4): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_1(5): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_1(6): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_1: 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_2(1): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_2(10): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_2(11): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_2(12): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_2(13): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_2(14): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_2(2): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_2(3): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_2(4): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_2(5): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_2(6): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_2(7): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_2(8): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_2(9): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_2: 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_3(1): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_3(2): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_3(3): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_3(4): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_3(5): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_3(6): 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321
SB0324_3: 44-1-504, 61-3-112, 61-3-321