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Senate Advances 80 mph Highway Speed Limit Proposal

Bill would raise highway speed limits from 75 mph to 80 mph in certain areas

By Molly Priddy

HELENA — Montana senators have endorsed the only surviving bill to raise highway speed limits.

Senators voted 31-19 to pass Senate Bill 375 on second reading Wednesday. Sen. Scott Sales’ measure would raise highway speed limits from 75 mph to 80 mph in certain areas where the Montana Department of Transportation deems that speed to be safe.

It would also raise speeding fines from a maximum of $100 to $200.

Three other proposals to raise highway speed limits have died this session after the Montana Highway Patrol spoke against those bills. The patrol favors Sales’ measure, which is the only proposal to include increased fines.

SB 375 passed out of the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee along party lines last week after the committee struck a provision that would have raised truck speeds in certain areas.