The bill proposes the elimination of the Scenic-Historic Byways Advisory Council and amends Sections 60-2-601 and 60-2-602 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA). Specifically, it removes the requirement for the commission to appoint an advisory council and instead allows the department, under the commission's direction, to expend funds for the scenic-historic byways program. The previous provisions detailing the council's composition, responsibilities, and functions, including assisting in program design and reviewing road nominations, have also been deleted.

In addition to the council's elimination, the bill maintains the department's responsibility to adopt rules for administering the scenic-historic byways program. The criteria for designating roads for inclusion in the program will now be developed by the commission and the department, rather than the advisory council. The amended language emphasizes local participation and the preservation of private property rights while ensuring that localities can exclude segments of highways from designation if they do not meet state criteria.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 60-2-601, 60-2-602
SB0309_1(1): 60-2-601, 60-2-602
SB0309_1(2): 60-2-601, 60-2-602
SB0309_1(3): 60-2-601, 60-2-602
SB0309_1(4): 60-2-601, 60-2-602
SB0309_1: 60-2-601, 60-2-602
SB0309_2: 60-2-601, 60-2-602
SB0309_X(1): 60-2-601, 60-2-602
SB0309_X(10): 60-2-601, 60-2-602
SB0309_X(11): 60-2-601, 60-2-602
SB0309_X(12): 60-2-601, 60-2-602
SB0309_X(2): 60-2-601, 60-2-602
SB0309_X(3): 60-2-601, 60-2-602
SB0309_X(4): 60-2-601, 60-2-602
SB0309_X(5): 60-2-601, 60-2-602
SB0309_X(6): 60-2-601, 60-2-602
SB0309_X(7): 60-2-601, 60-2-602
SB0309_X(8): 60-2-601, 60-2-602
SB0309_X(9): 60-2-601, 60-2-602
SB0309_X: 60-2-601, 60-2-602