MT HB672

Department of Transportation pays 75% of utility relocation costs for highway construction, 100% for publicly owned water/sewer facilities with 500 or fewer service connectors, and 85% for those with 500-1,000 connectors

Department must provide preliminary notice to utilities whose facilities must relocate for highway projects and may incrementally reduce reimbursement to 0% for facilities not relocated in a reasonable time, with reductions beginning no earlier than 90 days after notice

Department may remove utility or nonutility facilities that fail to relocate after reasonable written notice or that were not installed in accordance with permits

Department and its contractors receive limited liability protection for facility removals carried out in compliance with the law, except for willful misconduct, gross negligence, or certain statutory violations

Department must consult with the transportation interim committee, utility companies, telecommunications providers, and highway contractors before proposing rules under this section; effective January 1, 2026