Senate Bill No. introduced by G. Hertz seeks to revise vehicle registration fees and amend several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), specifically sections 15-1-121, 15-1-122, 61-3-321, and 61-3-562. The bill aims to enhance the entitlement share payment system for local governments, ensuring a more stable revenue stream from the state by modifying the calculation of the entitlement share growth rate and establishing a minimum growth rate for the years 2028, 2029, and 2030. It also adjusts the base entitlement share pool and clarifies the allocation of funds for state programs, including those for abandoned vehicle removal and noxious weed management.

In terms of vehicle registration fees, the bill proposes significant reductions, including a flat fee of $50 for trailers, semitrailers, and pole trailers, and a one-time registration fee for collector's items reduced to $10. The one-time registration fee for off-highway vehicles is lowered to $45, while the annual fees for heavy trucks, buses, and logging trucks are adjusted to $20. Additionally, the bill sets a uniform fee of $45 for motorcycles and quadricycles, introduces a safety fee of $7 for each motorcycle or quadricycle registered, and simplifies fees for travel trailers, motorboats, and snowmobiles. Overall, the proposed amendments aim to streamline the registration process and provide financial relief to vehicle owners in Montana.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_1(1): 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_1(2): 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_1(3): 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_1(4): 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_1(5): 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_1: 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_2(1): 15-1-121, 15-1-122, 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_2(10): 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_2(11): 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_2(12): 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_2(13): 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_2(14): 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_2(2): 15-1-121, 15-1-122, 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_2(3): 15-1-121, 15-1-122, 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_2(4): 15-1-121, 15-1-122, 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_2(5): 15-1-122, 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_2(6): 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_2(7): 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_2(8): 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_2(9): 61-3-321, 61-3-562
SB0327_2: 15-1-121, 15-1-122, 61-3-321, 61-3-562