OPPOSE HB 550

**** RESCHEDULED/CHANGED HEARING ****

BILL NO: HB550

SPONSOR: Alan Redfield

SHORT TITLE: Revise definition of public road in gas tax laws

COMMITTEE: Senate Highways and Transportation

DATE: April 02, 2019
ROOM: 405
TIME: 3:00 PM

 

 

 

The Montana Sportsman Alliance wishes to go on record as opposing House Bill 550. We oppose this bill because it is a poorly crafted attempt to change the status of roads and their use by the all members of the public across Montana. HB 550 seeks to reduce public use and access while at the same time allowing public funds to be expended for road maintenance.  Furthermore, it jeopardizes federal matching statewide road funds for Montana which may only can be dedicated for use to maintain those roads open to public travel.  As such, the bill should have a fiscal note to address potential costs as well as the loss of federal matching dollars should it be implemented. There is none mentioned.

HB 550 circumvents statutory county authority by pushing decision making on one element of contested roads directly into court, ignoring all other current statutes that require the exhaustion of other administrative remedies prior to litigation.  

We cannot support any effort to diminish the public’s legitimate use of thoroughfares, the diversion of state and federal dollars to the upkeep of roads that exclusively benefits a hand full of individuals, nor will we support efforts to diminish or unravel the counties’ critical roles in determining rights of ways and road access. 

Montana Sportsmen Alliance

Leadership Team

John Borgreen, Great Falls 

Steve Schindler, Glasgow

Jeff Herbert, Helena

Don Thomas, Lewistown

Sam Milodragovich, Butte

Joe Perry, Conrad

JW Westman, Park City

Dale Tribby, Miles City

Robert Wood, Hamilton  

Doug Krings, Lewistown

 

Please contact senators and register your opposition.  Please mention you are members of MSA

 

Senators:
goodwind1.duane@gmail.com; rnewbar@gmail.com; bennettformontana@gmail.com;
Mark.Blasdel@mtleg.gov; Kenneth.Bogner@mtleg.gov; Carlie.Boland@mtleg.gov;
Dee.Brown@mtleg.gov; Jill.Cohenour@mtleg.gov; Rep.Mike.Cuffe@mt.gov;
Janet.Ellis@mtleg.gov; Jason.Ellsworth@mtleg.gov; johnesp2001@yahoo.com;
Jennifer.Fielder@mtleg.gov; Steve.Fitzpatrick@mtleg.gov;
Pat.Flowers@mtleg.gov; mrmac570@me.com; Bruce.Gillespie@mtleg.gov;
Jen.Gross@mtleg.gov; Steve.Hinebauch@mtleg.gov; brian@hovenequipment.com;
David.Howard@mtleg.gov; Tom.Jacobson@mtleg.gov; Doug.Kary@mtleg.gov;
Bob.Keenan@mtleg.gov; Mike.Lang@mtleg.gov; Margie.MacDonald@mtleg.gov;
Sue.Malek@mtleg.gov; Edie.McClafferty@mtleg.gov; Nate.McConnell@mtleg.gov;
Mary.McNally@mtleg.gov; Albert.Olszewski@mtleg.gov; ryanosmundson@gmail.com;
mikephillips@montana.net; jp.pomnichowski@mtleg.gov; Keith.Regier@mtleg.gov;
Tom.Richmond@mtleg.gov; Scott.Sales@mtleg.gov; dansalomon12@gmail.com;
Diane.Sands@mtleg.gov; jon.sesso@mtleg.gov; Jason.Small@mtleg.gov;
clairena@hughes.net; Sen.Cary.Smith@mt.gov; Russ.Tempel@mtleg.gov;
Fred.Thomas@mtleg.gov; vancesd34@gmail.com; Gene.Vuckovich@mtleg.gov;
webb4mt@hotmail.com; Susan.Webber@mtleg.gov; jeffwelborn@hotmail.com;