5/4/05-A similar version – SB80 – to this bill was signed into law last month.

3/7/05-House lawmakers have approved a bill that would ban consumption and possession of open containers of alcohol in vehicles traveling public roadways.
Under state law, drivers are prohibited from having an open alcoholic beverage, but passengers 21 years of age or older are free to drink while in a moving vehicle.
The House voted 78-18 on March 4 to forward the bill to the Senate for further consideration.
Sponsored by Rep. Christopher Harris, D-Bozeman, HB91 would eliminate the open container provision.
Violators would be fined up to $100. No points would be added to a driver’s license.
Exceptions would be made for passengers in campers, motor homes, buses, taxis or limousines.
The effort to ban open containers of alcohol in vehicles is spurred by the federal government’s mandate that states pass the provision or spend a percentage of federal highway dollars on public safety projects such as drunken driving checkpoints and installing cables in medians to prevent crossover accidents.
This year, that would mean $6 million less for Montana roads if the provision fails to pass.
For bill status, call (406) 444-4800.

12/30/04-A bill before the House Judiciary Committee would ban consumption and possession of open containers of alcohol in vehicles traveling public roadways.
Under Montana law, drivers are prohibited from having an open alcoholic beverage, but passengers 21 years of age or older are free to drink while in a moving vehicle.
HB91, authored by Rep. Christopher Harris, D-Bozeman, would eliminate the open container provision.
Violators would be fined up to $100.
Exceptions would be made for passengers in campers, motor homes or buses.
The state is being forced to spend a portion of its federal highway money on traffic safety because the state doesn’t have a ban on open containers of alcohol in vehicles. Last year, that distinction forced Montana to divert $11.5 million of its highway construction budget and put it to other uses.
The federal government mandated in 2001 that states pass the provision or spend a percentage of federal highway dollars on public safety projects such as drunken driving checkpoints and installing cables in medians to prevent crossover accidents.
For bill status, call (406) 444-4800.