The bill proposes revisions to speed limit laws in Montana, specifically increasing the daytime and nighttime speed limits on national highways that have been expanded to four lanes. The new speed limits will be set at 75 miles per hour during the daytime and 70 miles per hour at nighttime for these highways, provided they are not subject to a permanent special speed zone. The bill also clarifies that the existing speed limits for interstate highways remain unchanged, with 80 miles per hour outside urban areas and 65 miles per hour within urban areas of significant population.

Additionally, the bill amends the penalties for violating speed limits, specifying that violations of the new speed limits will not be considered criminal offenses and will not be recorded against a driver's record if the excess speed is within certain thresholds. Specifically, exceeding the speed limit by up to 10 miles per hour during the daytime or 5 miles per hour during the nighttime will not affect a driver's record or insurance premiums. However, violations exceeding 90 miles per hour on interstate highways may be recorded and impact insurance. The bill also provides exceptions for special speed zones and outlines the authority of the transportation commission and local authorities to alter speed limits as necessary.

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(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: 61-8-303, 61-8-725