Straight Arrow
Well-known member
HB 295 is being considered by the Montana House Judiciary Committee presently. HB 295 increases the fine from $10 per day up to a maximum of $500 per day at the court's discretion for encroaching a county road by placing a locked gate on the road. The bill intends to give the county commission and county attorney more clout in preventing or prosecuting landowner closure of access to public land. With this increased potential for punitive measure, it is expected that such situations may be more easily and expeditiously resolved. It is a complex issue with respect to private property rights and public access rights, but I think this bill is long overdue and is a positive step forward, especially since the cases of blocking public access have been increasing.