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 an advisory council that was previously responsible for assisting the commission in designing the scenic-historic byways program, reviewing road nominations, and making recommendations for inclusion or deletion of roads from the program. Instead, the bill allows the department, under the direction of the commission, to expend funds appropriated for the scenic-historic byways program without the oversight of the advisory council.

Additionally, the bill maintains the requirement for the department to adopt rules for administering the scenic-historic byways program, but it shifts the focus from the advisory council to the commission and department in developing criteria for road designation. The new language emphasizes local participation and the preservation of intrinsic resources while ensuring that localities have the ability to exclude roads from designation and protect private property rights. Overall, the bill streamlines the process by removing the advisory council and empowering the commission and department to manage the program directly.

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