House Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to provide funding for regional rail authorities in Montana by redistributing a portion of the Railroad Car Tax. The bill establishes a "Big Sky Rail Account" within the state special revenue fund, which will receive the first $2 million of taxes collected annually under the specified tax provisions. The funds in this account are statutorily appropriated to the Department of Transportation, which is responsible for distributing the money to regional rail authorities by August 1 each year until January 1, 2025. The bill also outlines specific purposes for which these authorities can utilize the funding, including administration, matching grants, and the development of rail projects and services.

Additionally, the bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to reflect these changes, including the addition of new provisions that detail the powers and responsibilities of regional rail authorities. Notably, it specifies that the funding can be used for enhancing rail safety and performance, improving transportation connections, and developing facilities at train stations. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will terminate on June 30, 2031.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 17-7-502, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307
HB0848_1(1): 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 17-7-502, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307
HB0848_1(2): 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 17-7-502, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307
HB0848_1(3): 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 17-7-502, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307
HB0848_1(4): 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 17-7-502, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307
HB0848_1(5): 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 17-7-502, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307
HB0848_1(6): 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 17-7-502, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307
HB0848_1: 15-65-121, 15-68-820, 17-7-502, 22-3-1303, 22-3-1304, 22-3-1307
HB0848_2(1): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_2(10): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_2(11): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_2(12): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_2(13): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_2(14): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_2(15): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_2(16): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_2(2): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_2(3): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_2(4): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_2(5): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_2(6): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_2(7): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_2(8): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_2(9): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_2: 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_3(1): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_3(2): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_3(3): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_3(4): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_3(5): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_3(6): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_3(7): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_3(8): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_3(9): 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502
HB0848_3: 7-14-1624, 15-23-215, 17-7-502