MT SB556

Creates a seven-member Board of Passenger Ropeway Safety appointed by the governor, with staggered 4-year terms, including a licensed attorney, federal land management employee, professional engineer, first responder, and three ski area operators

Requires all passenger ropeways (ski lifts, aerial tramways, surface tows) in Montana to be registered annually with the board by October 1, with annual fees up to $100 for rope tows, $200 for chair lifts, and $300 for aerial tramways

Imposes an assessment of up to 0.25% on gross receipts of all passenger ropeway facilities, collected by the Department of Revenue and deposited in the state special revenue fund to support board operations

Grants the board authority to adopt safety rules using American National Standards Institute guidelines (B77.1-2022), conduct inspections using qualified engineers, and issue corrective orders for violations

Authorizes the board to suspend registrations or seek injunctive relief in district court against operators who fail to comply with safety orders, with operators having the right to appeal adverse board decisions