Montana HB344: Revise criminal laws.

What the bill says

An act creating an additional type of driving under the influence offense regarding noncommercial or commercial drivers who have a certain amount of prohibited substances other than alcohol or marijuana in their blood; and amending sections 23-2-535, 61-2-302, 61-5-212, 61-5-231, 61-8-805, 61-8-1001, 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008, 61-8-1009, and 61-8-1011, mca.

From the engrossed text:

AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL TYPE OF DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OFFENSE REGARDING NONCOMMERCIAL OR COMMERCIAL DRIVERS WHO HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES OTHER THAN ALCOHOL OR MARIJUANA IN THEIR BLOOD; AND AMENDING SECTIONS 23-2-535, 61-2-302, 61-5-212, 61-5-231, 61-8-805, 61-8-1001, 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008, 61-8-1009, AND 61-8-1011, MCA. Section 1. Section 23-2-535, MCA, is amended to read: "23-2-535. Alcohol and drug concentration standards -- evidence admissible -- administration of tests. (1) The inferences contained in 61-8-1002 apply to any criminal action or proceeding arising out of acts alleged to have been committed in violation of 23-2-523(2). (2) Evidence of any measured amount or detected presence of alcohol or drugs in a person at the time of the act alleged, as shown by analysis of the person's blood, breath, oral fluid, or urine, and any other competent evidence bearing on the question of whether the person was under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two at the time of the act alleged is admissible in any criminal action or proceeding arising out of acts alleged to have been committed in violation of 23-2-523(2). (3) If a person charged with violation of 23-2-523(2) refuses to submit to a test of the person's blood, breath, or urine for the purpose of determining any measured amount or detected presence …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Mitchell, Braxton (R, 5) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. May 5, 2025: Chapter Number Assigned
2. May 1, 2025: (H) Signed by Governor
3. April 22, 2025: (H) Transmitted to Governor
4. April 22, 2025: (S) Signed by President
5. April 18, 2025: (H) Signed by Speaker
6. April 15, 2025: (H) Returned from Enrolling
7. April 15, 2025: (H) Sent to Enrolling
8. April 15, 2025: (H) 3rd Reading Senate Amendments
9. April 15, 2025: (H) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
10. April 14, 2025: (H) 2nd Reading Senate Amendments

Votes

• Do Concur (April 15, 2025): 68 yea, 29 nay, passed
• Do Concur (April 14, 2025): 92 yea, 4 nay, passed
• Do Concur (April 2, 2025): 36 yea, 14 nay, passed
• Do Concur (April 1, 2025): 34 yea, 16 nay, passed
• Do Pass (February 19, 2025): 62 yea, 38 nay, passed
• Do Pass (February 18, 2025): 67 yea, 32 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB344?

HB344 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Revise criminal laws.

What does HB344 do?

In its own words: An act creating an additional type of driving under the influence offense regarding noncommercial or commercial drivers who have a certain amount of prohibited substances other than alcohol or marijuana in their blood; and amending sections 23-2-535, 61-2-302, 61-5-212, 61-5-231, 61-8-805, 61-8-1001, 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008, 61-8-1009, and 61-8-1011, mca.

What is the status of HB344?

Signed into law as of May 5, 2025. Latest action: Chapter Number Assigned (May 5, 2025).

Who sponsored HB344?

Mitchell, Braxton (R, 5).

Where is the official record for HB344?

On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC3018