A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT generally revising laws for riding horses on public property or the highway right-of-way; providing requirements for safe travel; prohibiting riding under the influence on a public roadway; allowing local governments to limit or prohibit riding on roadways; and providing a definition."
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
NEW SECTION. Section 1. Definition. As used in this part, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, "equestrian" means a person riding a horse on public property or the highway right-of-way.
NEW SECTION. Section 2. Equestrian requirements. (1) Except when crossing an intersection or roadway, an equestrian may occupy the highway right-of-way, the shoulder of the roadway, or if the shoulder is not improved sufficiently, the equestrian may occupy the roadway as far to the right as is practicable.
(2) An equestrian shall ride in a reasonable and prudent manner.
(3) An equestrian shall obey all traffic control devices.
(4) An equestrian shall yield to a pedestrian and to an authorized emergency vehicle making use of an audible signal that meets the requirements of 61-9-401(4) and visual signals that meet the requirements of 61-9-402.
NEW SECTION. Section 3. Intoxicated equestrian. An equestrian who is under the influence of alcohol or any other drug may not enter or access a public roadway, including the shoulder of a public roadway. This prohibition does not extend to other public properties or the highway right-of-way as defined in 60-1-103.
NEW SECTION. Section 4. Local government authority. A local government may limit or prohibit a person from riding horses on roadways within the local government's jurisdiction.
NEW SECTION. Section 5. Codification instruction. [Sections 1 through 4] are intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 61, chapter 8, and the provisions of Title 61, chapter 8, apply to [sections 1 through 4].