This bill amends Montana's speed limit laws by increasing the speed limits for vehicles traveling on national highways that have been expanded to four lanes. Specifically, it establishes a new speed limit of 75 miles an hour during the daytime and 70 miles an hour during the nighttime for these highways, provided they are not subject to a permanent special speed zone. The bill also maintains existing speed limits for interstate highways and other public highways, while clarifying definitions for "daytime" and "nighttime" driving. Additionally, the bill modifies penalties for speed limit violations. It includes an amendment to allow violations of the new speed limit for expanded national highways to be treated similarly to existing violations under certain conditions, ensuring that minor infractions (exceeding the limit by no more than 10 miles an hour during the daytime or 5 miles an hour during the nighttime) do not result in a criminal offense or affect a driver's record or insurance premiums. However, violations exceeding 90 miles an hour on interstate highways may still be recorded and impact insurance rates.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_1(1): 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_1(2): 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_1(3): 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_1(4): 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_1(5): 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_1(6): 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_1(7): 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_1: 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_2(1): 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_2(10): 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_2(11): 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_2(2): 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_2(3): 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_2(4): 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_2(5): 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_2(6): 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_2(7): 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_2(8): 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_2(9): 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_2: 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_X(1): 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_X(2): 61-8-303, 61-8-725
HB0312_X: 61-8-303, 61-8-725