Revise laws for agricultural vehicles on the highway

- 2025
69th Legislature 2025 HB 739
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 739
ENROLLED BILL
AN ACT REVISING LAWS REGARDING AGRICULTURAL VEHICLES; REQUIRING MOTOR VEHICLES TO
SLOW DOWN WHEN APPROACHING AN AGRICULTURAL VEHICLE; REQUIRING AN AGRICULTURAL
VEHICLE TO MOVE OVER WHEN SAFE TO ALLOW VEHICLES TO PASS; AND PROVIDING DEFINITIONS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Slowing down when approaching agricultural vehicles -- definitions. (1) The operator
of a motor vehicle when approaching an agricultural vehicle that is traveling in the same direction on a highway:
(a) shall cautiously and carefully reduce the vehicle's speed to the speed of the agricultural
vehicle; and
(b) may pass the agricultural vehicle where passing is allowed.
(2) The operator of a motor vehicle when approaching an agricultural vehicle traveling in a different
direction shall cautiously and carefully reduce the vehicle's speed to a speed that is one-half the speed of the
posted speed limit. If there are multiple lanes of traffic that the operator of a motor vehicle subject to this
subsection (2) may be traveling in, the operator shall move out of the lane closest to the center line when it is
safe to do so.
(3) The operator of an agricultural vehicle behind which a line of vehicles has formed shall turn off
the highway at the nearest area where a sufficient and safe turnout exists in order to permit the vehicles
following it to proceed. If the shoulder of the highway to the right of the slow-moving vehicle is wide enough and
is in a condition that allows safe travel, the operator of the agricultural vehicle may drive onto the shoulder and
proceed at a safe speed until the other vehicles have passed.
(4) As used in this section, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Agricultural vehicle" means:
(i) a farm tractor as defined in 61-9-102;
- 2025
69th Legislature 2025 HB 739
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HB 739
ENROLLED BILL
(ii) an implement of husbandry as defined in 61-1-101;
(iii) a self-propelled farm equipment unit;
(iv) a combination of farm tractor and towed unit of farm equipment or implement of husbandry; or
(v) a vehicle used for hauling hay, straw, or both.
(b) "Highway" has the same meaning as provided in 61-1-101.
(c) "Motor vehicle" has the same meaning as provided in 61-1-101.
Section 2. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title
61, chapter 8, part 3, and the provisions of Title 61, chapter 8, part 3, apply to [section 1].
- END -
I hereby certify that the within bill,
HB 739, originated in the House.
___________________________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
___________________________________________
Speaker of the House
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
___________________________________________
President of the Senate
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
HOUSE BILL NO. 739
INTRODUCED BY E. BYRNE, B. MITCHELL
AN ACT REVISING LAWS REGARDING AGRICULTURAL VEHICLES; REQUIRING MOTOR VEHICLES TO
SLOW DOWN WHEN APPROACHING AN AGRICULTURAL VEHICLE; REQUIRING AN AGRICULTURAL
VEHICLE TO MOVE OVER WHEN SAFE TO ALLOW VEHICLES TO PASS; AND PROVIDING A DEFINITION
DEFINITIONS.”