TO: Parks and Recreation Friends Groups
FROM : Bob Walker, Montana Trails Coalition and Montana Trails, Recreation & Parks Association
DATE: May 13, 2019
RECREATION
SB 24 (Senator Gauthier): Would increase the optional light motor vehicle registration fee from $6 to $9, provide increased funding for state parks operations and maintenance, fishing access sites, and create a new made in Montana trails grant program. Passed Senate March 12. Passed the House April 16. Signed by the Governor May 1.
SB 249 (Senator Fitzpatrick): Would revise transportation laws related to bicycling, defines a safe passing distance, clarifies rear light requirement. Tabled in Senate Highways and Transportation Committee February 21.
HB 243 (Representative White): Would allow for advances of OHV grant funds to successful applicants. Passed House February 18, passed Senate March 22. Signed by the Governor April 18.
HB 355 (Representative White): Would create a permit program for OHVs and amend permits for snowmobiles. Passed the House March 30. Passed the Senate April 16. Signed by the Governor May 7.
HB 395 (Representative Garner): Would revise transportation laws related to bicycling, defines a safe passing distance. Tabled is House Judiciary Committee February 19.
HJ 45 (Representative Loge): Interim study on bicycle and pedestrian paths (shared use paths). Passed House on April 12. Passed Senate April 18. Under study by Interim Transportation Committee,
PARKS
SB 70 (Senator Flowers): Remove Headwaters State Park from the primitive parks list. Passed Senate February 5. Passed House April 8. Signed by the Governor April 30.
SB 102 (Senator Webb): Would change the optional light motor vehicle fee for state parks, fishing access sites and Virginia/Nevada Cites to opt-in rather than the current opt-out and increase the fee to $25. Tabled in Senate Fish and Game Committee, March 7.
HB 325 (Representative Regier): Would not allow local governments to regulate the carrying of concealed weapons and revising prohibited places for concealed weapons. Passed House February 21. Passed Senate April 2. Vetoed by the Governor May 3.
SB 242 (Senator Webb): Would eliminate the optional light motor vehicle registration fee for state parks, fishing access sites and Virginia/Nevada Cities and replace with state parks windshield decal at a cost of $35. Tabled in Senate Fish and Game Committee March 26
HB 423 (Representative Buttrey): Would provide campsite fee discount at state parks for veterans. Passed House March 15. Passed Senate April 16. Signed by the Governor May 9.
HB 652 (Hopkins): Would provide funding for capital and infrastructure projects statewide including $1.3 million for Makoshika State Park waterline. Passed House March 29. Passed Senate April 18. Signed by the Governor May 10.
HB 695 (Representatives J. Keane & G. Hertz): An act providing an appropriation to the department of fish, wildlife, and parks to purchase a recreation easement at big arm state park. Passed the House March 27. Passed the Senate April 12. Signed by the Governor May 8.
Bob Walker, Chair
Montana Trails Coalition and
Advisor to Montana Trails Recreation and Parks Association
406-461-0523
bob_mttrails@outlook.com
