House Bill No. 588 revises Montana's transportation laws by defining and regulating motorized scooters, which are characterized as vehicles without seats that can be propelled by muscular power or an independent power source, with a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour on level surfaces. The bill introduces the term "motorized scooter" into the definition of "motor vehicle" while excluding it from certain categories, thereby distinguishing it from bicycles, mopeds, and other low-powered vehicles. Additionally, it amends the definition of "motor-driven cycle" to remove the term "motor," clarifying that it includes vehicles producing 5 horsepower or less, and expands the definition of "motorized nonstandard vehicle" to include motorized scooters while excluding mopeds and certain low-powered vehicles designed for individuals with disabilities.

The bill establishes regulations for motorized scooters that align them with existing laws for bicycles and mopeds, ensuring that operators have the same rights and responsibilities. Key provisions include adherence to traffic laws, requirements for protective headgear for riders under 18, and stipulations that riders must keep at least one hand on the handlebars without carrying items that impede this requirement. Furthermore, the bill introduces a 40-day grace period for new owners of transferred motor vehicles to apply for a certificate of title and pay registration fees, allowing operation without current registration if a temporary permit is displayed. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance safety and clarify the legal framework surrounding the operation of motorized scooters in Montana.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_1(1): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_1(2): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_1(3): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_1(4): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_1(5): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_1(6): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_1(7): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_1(8): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_1(9): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_1: 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_2(1): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_2(10): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_2(11): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_2(12): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_2(13): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_2(14): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_2(15): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_2(16): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_2(2): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_2(3): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_2(4): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_2(5): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_2(6): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_2(7): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_2(8): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_2(9): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_2: 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609
HB0588_X(1): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609, 61-9-417
HB0588_X(10): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609, 61-9-417
HB0588_X(11): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609, 61-9-417
HB0588_X(12): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609, 61-9-417
HB0588_X(13): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609, 61-9-417
HB0588_X(2): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609, 61-9-417
HB0588_X(3): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609, 61-9-417
HB0588_X(4): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609, 61-9-417
HB0588_X(5): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609, 61-9-417
HB0588_X(6): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609, 61-9-417
HB0588_X(7): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609, 61-9-417
HB0588_X(8): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609, 61-9-417
HB0588_X(9): 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609, 61-9-417
HB0588_X: 61-1-101, 61-3-317, 61-8-102, 61-8-601, 61-8-602, 61-8-603, 61-8-604, 61-8-606, 61-8-607, 61-8-608, 61-8-609, 61-9-417