4/26/05-Gov. Brian Schweitzer has signed a bill – SB80 – into law that outlaws drinking by motor vehicle passengers. It takes effect this fall.
Under current 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.
Exceptions would be made for passengers in campers, motor homes, buses, taxis or limousines.
Starting Oct. 1, violators will receive tickets for as much as $100. No points would be added to a driver’s license and insurance companies cannot hike drivers’ rates if they are convicted of an open container violation.
The effort to ban open containers of alcohol in vehicles was spurred by the federal government’s mandate that states pass provisions 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.
In the past two years, Montana was forced to divert $5.6 million of federal highway money.

2/1/05-The Senate has 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.
Senate lawmakers voted 45-5 on Jan. 31 to forward the bill to the House for consideration.
SB80, sponsored by Sen. Gary Perry, R-Manhattan, 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.
Montana 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.
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.
This year, the total is expected to reach $6 million if the provision fails to pass.
For bill status, call (406) 444-4800.

1/26/05-The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill Jan. 25 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.
SB80, sponsored by Sen. Gary Perry, R-Manhattan, would eliminate the open container provision.
Violators would be fined up to $100.
Exceptions would be made for passengers in campers, motor homes, buses, taxis or limousines.
Montana 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.
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.
This year, the total is expected to reach $6 million if the provision fails to pass.
The bill has been forwarded to the Senate for consideration.
For bill status, call (406) 444-4800.

1/21/05-A bill to be voted on by the Senate Judiciary Committee Jan. 25 would ban consumption and possession of open containers of alcohol in vehicles traveling public roadways.
Such bans already exist within city limits across the state.
Under Montana 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.
SB80, sponsored by Sen. Gary Perry, R-Manhattan, would eliminate the open container provision.
Violators would be fined up to $100.
Exceptions would be made for passengers in campers, motor homes, buses, taxis or limousines.
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.
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.
This year, the total is expected to reach $6 million if the provision fails to pass.
For bill status, call (406) 444-4800.
An identical House bill – HB91 – is in the House Judiciary Committee.