****
69th Legislature 2025 SB 324.1
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – SB 324
1 SENATE BILL NO. 324
2 INTRODUCED BY J. KASSMIER, R. GREGG, B. GILLESPIE, W. MCKAMEY, G. LAMMERS, E. BOLDMAN
3
4 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REVISING VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES; PROVIDING FOR
5 AN ASSESSMENT BASED ON THE MANUFACTURER'S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE FOR THE FIRST
6 YEAR OF REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN VEHICLES; CREATING STATE SPECIAL REVENUE ACCOUNTS
7 AND ALLOCATING PAYMENTS OF FEES TO THE ACCOUNTS; PROVIDING FUNDING TO THE BOARD OF
8 CRIME CONTROL TO FUND SERVICES RELATED TO VICTIMS OF CRIME; PROVIDING FUNDING TO
9 THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR GRANTS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR BRIDGE
10 PROJECTS; PROVIDING RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; AMENDING SECTIONS 44-1-504, 61-3-112, AND 61-
11 3-321, MCA; REPEALING SECTION 61-3-111, MCA; AND PROVIDING EFFECTIVE DATES.”
12
13 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
14
15 Section 44-1-504, MCA, is amended to read:
16 "44-1-504.
17 (1) There is an account in the state special revenue fund provided for in 17-2-102.
18 (2) The money in the account is for the department of justice to fund, pursuant to 2-18-303(5):
19 (a) the base salary and associated operating costs for highway patrol officer positions; and
20 (b) biennial salary increases for highway patrol officers; and
21 (c) other operating expenses of the highway patrol.
22 (3) (a) By August 15, 2021, the state treasurer shall transfer $4 million from the account to the
23 highway patrol officers' retirement pension trust fund.
24 (b) By August 15, 2022, the state treasurer shall transfer $2 million from the account to the
25 highway patrol officers' retirement pension trust fund.
26 (4)(3) Starting July 1, 2023, and in of each fiscal year thereafter, the state treasurer shall transfer
27 $500,000 from the account to the highway patrol officers' retirement pension trust fund by August 15.
28 (Terminates on occurrence of contingency--sec. 3, Ch. 472, L. 2021.) ****
69th Legislature 2025 SB 324.1
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – SB 324
1
2 (1) There is an account in the state special revenue fund
3 provided for in 17-2-102.
4 (2) The money in the account is for the department of justice to fund, pursuant to 2-18-303(5):
5 (a) the base salary and associated operating costs for highway patrol officer positions; and
6 (b) biennial salary increases for highway patrol officers; and
7 (c) other expenses of the highway patrol."
8
9 Section 61-3-112, MCA, is amended to read:
10 "61-3-112. (1) There is an
11 account in the state special revenue fund established by 17-2-102 to be known as the motor vehicle division
12 administration account.
13 (2) Administrative fees collected on behalf of the motor vehicle division pursuant to 61-3-111 must
14 be deposited in the account.
15 (3)(2) Fees collected based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price pursuant to 61-3-321(2) and
16 (7) and allocated pursuant to 61-3-321(23) are deposited in this account."
17
18 Section 61-3-321, MCA, is amended to read:
19 "61-3-321.
20 (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section,
21 registration fees must be paid upon registration or, if applicable, renewal of registration of motor vehicles,
22 snowmobiles, watercraft, trailers, semitrailers, and pole trailers as provided in subsections (2) through (20).
23 (2) (a) Except as provided in subsection (2)(b), unless a light vehicle is permanently registered
24 under 61-3-562, the annual registration fee for light vehicles, trucks, and buses that weigh 1 ton or less and for
25 logging trucks that weigh 1 ton or less is as follows:
26 (i) if the vehicle is 4 or less years old, $217;
27 (ii) if the vehicle is 5 through 10 years old, $87; and
28 (iii) if the vehicle is 11 or more years old, $28. ****
69th Legislature 2025 SB 324.1
- 3 - Authorized Print Version – SB 324
1 (b) For Subject to subsection (24), for a light vehicle with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of
2 more than $150,000 that is 10 years old or less, the annual registration fee is the amount provided for in
3 subsection (2)(a) plus:
4 (i) prior to January 1, 2026, $825.
5 (ii) beginning January 1, 2026:
6 (A) the amount of 1% of the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the first year of registration in
7 the state; and
8 (B) $825 a year for each year thereafter until the vehicle is 11 years old or older.
9 (3) (a) Except as provided in subsections (3)(b) and (15), the one-time registration fee based on
10 the declared weight of a trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer is as follows:
11 (i) if the declared weight is less than 6,000 pounds, $61.25; or
12 (ii) if the declared weight is 6,000 pounds or more, $148.25.
13 (b) For a trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer that is registered under 61-3-701, the annual registration
14 fee based on the declared weight is as follows:
15 (i) if the declared weight is less than 6,000 pounds, $30; or
16 (ii) if the declared weight is 6,000 pounds or more, $60.
17 (4) Except as provided in subsection (15), the one-time registration fee for motor vehicles owned
18 and operated solely as collector's items pursuant to 61-3-411, based on the weight of the vehicle, is as follows:
19 (a) 2,850 pounds and over, $10; and
20 (b) under 2,850 pounds, $5.
21 (5) (a) Except as provided in subsections (5)(b) and (15), the one-time registration fee for off-
22 highway vehicles other than a quadricycle or motorcycle is $61.25.
23 (b) Whenever a valid summer motorized recreation trail pass issued pursuant to 23-2-111 is
24 affixed to an off-highway vehicle other than a quadricycle or motorcycle, the one-time registration fee is $41.25.
25 (6) The annual registration fee for heavy trucks, buses, and logging trucks in excess of 1 ton is
26 $22.75.
27 (7) (a) Except as provided in subsection (7)(c), the annual registration fee for a motor home, based
28 on the age of the motor home, is as follows: ****
69th Legislature 2025 SB 324.1
- 4 - Authorized Print Version – SB 324
1 (i) less than 2 years old, $282.50;
2 (ii) 2 years old and less than 5 years old, $224.25;
3 (iii) 5 years old and less than 8 years old, $132.50; and
4 (iv) 8 years old and older, $97.50.
5 (b) The owner of a motor home that is 11 years old or older and that is subject to the registration
6 fee under this section may permanently register the motor home upon payment of:
7 (i) a one-time registration fee of $237.50;
8 (ii) unless a new set of license plates is being issued, an insurance verification fee of $5, which
9 must be deposited in the account established under 61-6-158;
10 (iii) if applicable, five times the renewal fees for personalized license plates under 61-3-406; and
11 (iv) if applicable, the donation fee for a generic specialty license plate under 61-3-480 or a
12 collegiate license plate under 61-3-465.
13 (c) For Subject to subsection (24), for a motor home with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of
14 more than $300,000 that is 10 years old or less, the annual registration fee is the amount provided in
15 subsection (7)(a) plus:
16 (i) before January 1, 2026, $800.
17 (ii) beginning January 1, 2026:
18 (A) the amount of 1% of the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the first year of registration in
19 the state; and
20 (B) $825 a year for each year thereafter until the vehicle is 11 years old or older.
21 (8) (a) (i) Except as provided in subsections (8)(b), (8)(c), and (15), the one-time registration fee for
22 motorcycles and quadricycles registered for use on the public highways is $53.25, the one-time registration fee
23 for motorcycles and quadricycles registered for off-highway use is $53.25, and the one-time registration fee for
24 motorcycles and quadricycles registered for both off-road use and for use on the public highways is $114.50.
25 (ii) An additional fee of $16 must be collected for the registration of each motorcycle or quadricycle
26 as a safety fee, which must be deposited in the state motorcycle safety account provided for in 20-25-1002.
27 (b) (i) The annual registration fee for motorcycles and quadricycles registered for use on the public
28 highways under 61-3-701 is $44. ****
69th Legislature 2025 SB 324.1
- 5 - Authorized Print Version – SB 324
1 (ii) The annual registration fee for motorcycles and quadricycles registered for off-highway use
2 under 61-3-701 is $44.
3 (iii) The annual registration fee for motorcycles and quadricycles registered for both off-road use
4 and for use on the public highways under 61-3-701 is $88.
5 (iv) An additional safety fee of $7 must be collected annually for each motorcycle or quadricycle
6 registered under 61-3-701. The safety fee must be deposited in the state motorcycle safety account provided
7 for in 20-25-1002.
8 (c) Whenever a valid summer motorized recreation trail pass issued pursuant to 23-2-111 is
9 affixed to a motorcycle or quadricycle, the one-time registration fee for motorcycles and quadricycles registered
10 for:
11 (i) use on the public highways is $33.25; and
12 (ii) both off-road use and for use on the public highways is $94.50.
13 (9) Except as provided in subsection (15), the one-time registration fee for travel trailers, based on
14 the length of the travel trailer, is as follows:
15 (a) under 16 feet in length, $72; and
16 (b) 16 feet in length or longer, $152.
17 (10) Except as provided in subsection (15), the one-time registration fee for a motorboat, sailboat,
18 personal watercraft, or motorized pontoon required to be numbered under 23-2-512 is as follows:
19 (a) for a personal watercraft or a motorboat, sailboat, or motorized pontoon less than 16 feet in
20 length, $65.50;
21 (b) for a motorboat, sailboat, or motorized pontoon at least 16 feet in length but less than 19 feet in
22 length, $125.50; and
23 (c) for a motorboat, sailboat, or motorized pontoon 19 feet in length or longer, $295.50.
24 (11) (a) Except as provided in subsections (11)(b), (11)(c), and (15), the one-time registration fee for
25 a snowmobile is $60.50.
26 (b) Whenever a valid winter trail pass issued pursuant to 23-2-636 is affixed to a snowmobile, the
27 one-time registration fee is $40.50.
28 (c) (i) A snowmobile that is licensed by a Montana business and is owned exclusively for the ****
69th Legislature 2025 SB 324.1
- 6 - Authorized Print Version – SB 324
1 purpose of daily rental to customers is assessed:
2 (A) a fee of $40.50 in the first year of registration; and
3 (B) if the business reregisters the snowmobile for a second year, a fee of $20.
4 (ii) If the business reregisters the snowmobile for a third year, the snowmobile must be
5 permanently registered and the business is assessed the registration fee imposed in subsection (11)(a).
6 (12) (a) The one-time registration fee for a low-speed electric vehicle is $25.
7 (b) The one-time registration fee for a golf cart that is owned by a person who has or is applying for
8 a low-speed restricted driver's license is $25.
9 (c) The one-time registration fee for golf carts authorized to operate on certain public streets and
10 highways pursuant to 61-8-391 is $25. Upon receipt of the fee, the department shall issue the owner a decal,
11 which must be displayed visibly on the golf cart.
12 (13) (a) Except as provided in subsection (13)(b), a fee of $12 must be collected when a new set of
13 standard license plates, a new single standard license plate, or a replacement set of special license plates
14 required under 61-3-332 is issued. The fee imposed under this subsection (13)(a) does not apply when
15 previously issued license plates are transferred under 61-3-335. All registration fees imposed under this section
16 must be paid if the vehicle to which the plates are transferred is not currently registered.
17 (b) An additional fee of $16 must be collected if a vehicle owner elects to keep the same license
18 plate number from license plates issued before January 1, 2010, when replacement of those plates is required
19 under 61-3-332(3).
20 (c) The fees imposed in this subsection (13) must be deposited in the account established under
21 61-6-158, except that $2 of the fee imposed in subsection (13)(a) must be deposited in the state general fund.
22 (14) The provisions of this part with respect to the payment of registration fees do not apply to and
23 are not binding upon motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, snowmobiles, watercraft, or tractors owned or
24 controlled by the United States of America or any state, county, city, or special district, as defined in 18-8-202,
25 or to a vehicle or vessel that meets the description of property exempt from taxation under 15-6-201(1)(a),
26 (1)(d), (1)(e), (1)(g), (1)(h), (1)(i), (1)(k), (1)(l), (1)(n), or (1)(o), 15-6-203, or 15-6-215, except as provided in 61-
27 3-520.
28 (15) Whenever ownership of a trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, off-highway vehicle, motorcycle, ****
69th Legislature 2025 SB 324.1
- 7 - Authorized Print Version – SB 324
1 quadricycle, travel trailer, motor home, motorboat, sailboat, personal watercraft, motorized pontoon,
2 snowmobile, motor vehicle owned and operated solely as a collector's item pursuant to 61-3-411, or low-speed
3 electric vehicle is transferred, the new owner shall title and register the vehicle or vessel as required by this
4 chapter and pay the fees imposed under this section.
5 (16) A person eligible for a waiver under 61-3-460 is exempt from the fees required under this
6 section.
7 (17) Except as otherwise provided in this section, revenue collected under this section must be
8 deposited in the state general fund.
9 (18) The fees imposed by subsections (2) through (12) are not required to be paid by a dealer for
10 the enumerated vehicles or vessels that constitute inventory of the dealership.
11 (19) (a) Unless a person exercises the option in either subsection (19)(b) or (19)(c), an additional
12 fee of $9 must be collected for each light vehicle registered under this part. This fee must be accounted for and
13 transmitted separately from the registration fee. Of the $9 fee:
14 (i) $6.74 must be deposited in the state special revenue account established in 23-1-105 and
15 used for state parks;
16 (ii) 50 cents must be deposited in an account in the state special revenue fund to the credit of the
17 department of fish, wildlife, and parks and used for fishing access sites;
18 (iii) $1.37 must be deposited in the trails and recreation facilities state special revenue account
19 established in 23-2-108; and
20 (iv) 39 cents must be deposited in the Montana heritage preservation and development account
21 established in 22-3-1004 and used for the operation of state-owned facilities at Virginia City and Nevada City.
22 (b) A person who registers a light vehicle may, at the time of annual registration, certify that the
23 person does not intend to use the vehicle to visit state parks and fishing access sites and may make a written
24 election not to pay the additional $9 fee provided for in subsection (19)(a). If a written election is made, the fee
25 may not be collected.
26 (c) (i) A person who registers one or more light vehicles may, at the time of annual registration,
27 certify that the person does not intend to use any of the vehicles to visit state parks and fishing access sites and
28 may make a written election not to pay the additional $9 fee provided for in subsection (19)(a). If a written ****
69th Legislature 2025 SB 324.1
- 8 - Authorized Print Version – SB 324
1 election is made, the fee may not be collected at any subsequent annual registration unless the person makes
2 the written election to pay the additional fee on one or more of the light vehicles.
3 (ii) The written election not to pay the additional fee on a light vehicle expires if the vehicle is
4 registered to a different person.
5 (20) For each light vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, heavy truck, motor home, motorcycle,
6 quadricycle, and travel trailer subject to a registration fee under this section, an additional fee of $10 must be
7 collected and forwarded to the state for deposit as follows:
8 (a) $8 must be deposited in the account established in 44-1-504; and
9 (b) $2 must be deposited in the account established in [section 4].
10 (21) (a) If a person exercises the option in subsection (21)(b), an additional fee of $5 must be
11 collected for each light vehicle registered under this part. This fee must be accounted for and transmitted
12 separately from the registration fee. The fee must be deposited in an account in the state special revenue fund.
13 Funds in the account are statutorily appropriated, as provided in 17-7-502, to the department of transportation
14 and must be allocated as provided in 60-3-309.
15 (b) A person who registers one or more light vehicles may, at the time of annual registration, make
16 a written or electronic election to pay the additional $5 fee provided for in subsection (21)(a).
17 (22) This section does not apply to a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer that is
18 governed by 61-3-721.
19 (23) (a) The $800 and $825 For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, the total amounts collected
20 based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price in subsections (2) and (7) are exempt from the provisions of
21 15-1-122 and must be deposited as follows:
22 (i) 38% must be deposited in the account established in 44-1-504; and
23 (ii) 62% must be deposited in the motor vehicle division administration account established in 61-
24 3-112.
25 (b) For the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2026, and each fiscal year thereafter, the total amounts
26 collected based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price in subsections (2) and (7) of this section are
27 exempt from the provisions of 15-1-122 and must be deposited as follows:
28 (i) 19% must be deposited in the account established in 44-1-504; ****
69th Legislature 2025 SB 324.1
- 9 - Authorized Print Version – SB 324
1 (ii) 57% must be deposited in the motor vehicle division administration account established in 61-
2 3-112; and
3 (iii) 24% must be deposited in the better local bridge fund established in [section 5].
4 (b)(c) By August 15 of each year, beginning in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019, the department
5 of justice shall deposit into the general fund an amount equal to the fiscal yearend balance minus 25% of the
6 current fiscal year appropriation for the account established in 61-3-112, subject to the following conditions if
7 the amount in this subsection (23)(c) is:
8 (i) $1.5 million or less, then that amount must be deposited into the general fund; and
9 (ii) greater than $1.5 million, then $1.5 million must be deposited into the general fund and the
10 remainder above $1.5 million may be retained in the account established in 61-3-112.
11 (24) Beginning January 1, 2027, the manufacturer's suggested retail price in subsections (2)(b) and
12 (7)(c) must be increased annually by an inflation factor of 2%, rounded to the nearest dollar. The resulting
13 prices are effective for the year of the adjustment and must be used as the basis for the imposition of the fee in
14 subsections (2)(b) and (7)(c). The product of the inflation adjustment after rounding is the starting point for each
15 annual inflationary increase.
16 (24)(25)For the purposes of this section, "manufacturer's suggested retail price" means the price
17 suggested by a manufacturer for each given type, style, or model of a light vehicle or motor home produced and
18 first made available for retail sale by the manufacturer."
19
20 NEW SECTION. Section 4.
21 (1) There is an account in the state special revenue fund provided for in 17-2-102 to
22 be known as the victims of crime state special revenue account.
23 (2) There must be deposited in the account money received pursuant to 61-3-321(20).
24 (3) The money deposited in the account is allocated to the board of crime control to fund services
25 related to victims of crime.
26
27 NEW SECTION. Section 5. (1)
28 There is an account in the state special revenue fund provided for in 17-2-102 to be known as the better local ****
69th Legislature 2025 SB 324.1
- 10 - Authorized Print Version – SB 324
1 bridge fund account.
2 (2) There must be deposited in the account money received pursuant to 61-3-321.
3 (3) The account may be used for:
4 (a) grants to local government for the costs associated with engineering and construction of local,
5 off-system bridges; and
6 (b) administrative costs for the department of transportation, not to exceed 5% of revenue
7 received.
8 (4) Grants to local governments must include no less than 20% local matching funds.
9 (5) The department shall enact rules for distribution of annual grants to local governments.
10
11 NEW SECTION. Section 6. The following section of the Montana Code Annotated is
12 repealed:
13 61-3-111. Motor vehicle division administrative fees.
14
15 NEW SECTION. Section 7. By June 30, 2025, there is transferred $50 million
16 from the general fund to the better local bridge fund account provided for in [section 5].
17
18 NEW SECTION. Section 8. (1) [Section 4] is intended to be codified as an
19 integral part of Title 44, chapter 7, part 1, and the provisions of Title 44, chapter 7, part 1, apply to [section 4].
20 (2) [Section 5] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 60, chapter 2, part 2, and the
21 provisions of Title 60, chapter 2, part 2, apply to [section 5].
22
23 NEW SECTION. Section 9. (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3), [this
24 act] is effective January 1, 2026.
25 (2) [Sections 5 and 7] and this section are effective on passage and approval.
26 (3) [Sections 2 and 6] are effective June 30, 2027.
27 - END -