This bill aims to revise the laws governing the relocation of utility facilities in Montana, specifically granting the Department of Transportation (DOT) the authority to establish rules regarding the timeliness and accuracy of utility and nonutility relocations and installations. Key provisions include the establishment of timelines for relocations and a mechanism for reducing reimbursement costs for utilities that fail to relocate their facilities in a timely manner. The bill also introduces limited liability for the DOT concerning the removal of facilities, ensuring that the department is not held liable for removals conducted in compliance with the new regulations, except in cases of willful misconduct or gross negligence.

Amendments to Sections 60-4-402 and 60-4-403 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) include the removal of certain subsections and the introduction of new provisions that clarify the process for notifying utilities about relocations, the conditions under which the DOT will cover relocation costs, and the establishment of rules related to the relocation process. The bill specifies that the DOT must provide reasonable written notice to utilities and allows for incremental reductions in cost participation if relocations are not completed in a reasonable timeframe. Additionally, the bill mandates consultation with various stakeholders before the DOT publishes any rule proposals related to these changes. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_1(1): 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_1(10): 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_1(11): 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_1(12): 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_1(13): 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_1(14): 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_1(2): 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_1(3): 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_1(4): 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_1(5): 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_1(6): 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_1(7): 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_1(8): 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_1(9): 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_1: 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_X(1): 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_X(2): 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_X(3): 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_X(4): 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_X(5): 60-4-402, 60-4-403
HB0672_X: 60-4-402, 60-4-403