Bill > HB848

This bill establishes a new funding mechanism for regional rail authorities in Montana by creating a "Big Sky Rail Account" that will receive the first $2 million annually from railroad car taxes. The Department of Transportation is required to distribute these funds to regional rail authorities by August 1st each year before January 1, 2025. The bill expands the authorized uses of these funds to include administration of rail authorities, matching grants, developing cooperative relationships with various entities, and advancing rail projects and services. Specific permitted uses include enhancing rail safety and infrastructure, creating transportation connections between different modes of transit, improving passenger stations, developing transit and rental car facilities at train stations, and creating energy production and distribution facilities for transportation purposes. The funding mechanism is designed to be temporary, with the bill set to terminate on June 30, 2031, and the funds can only be used by regional rail authorities established before January 1, 2025. The bill also makes technical amendments to several existing statutes to enable this new funding and expand the powers of regional rail authorities, ensuring that the money can be appropriately allocated and used for comprehensive rail development across the state and potentially connecting beyond Montana's borders.

Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC3060