Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 15. TAXATION

CHAPTER 70. GASOLINE AND VEHICLE FUELS TAXES

Part 7. Alternative Fuel Tax

Definitions

15-70-701. Definitions. As used in this part, the following definitions apply:

(1) (a) "Alternative fuel" means a gas, liquid, or other fuel that, with or without adjustment or manipulation such as adjustment or manipulation of pressure or temperature, is capable of being used for the generation of power to propel a motor vehicle. The term includes but is not limited to compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen, or hydrogen compressed natural gas, such as hythane.

(b) The term does not include motor fuel, leaded racing fuel, or an excluded liquid.

(2) "Alternative fuel dealer" means a person that is licensed or required to be licensed under 15-70-702 that delivers alternative fuel into the fuel supply tank or tanks of a motor vehicle.

(3) "Bond" means:

(a) a bond executed by an alternative fuel dealer as principal with a corporate surety qualified under the laws of Montana, payable to the state of Montana, conditioned on performance of all requirements of this part, including the payment of all taxes, penalties, and other obligations of the alternative fuel dealer arising out of this part; or

(b) a deposit with the department by the alternative fuel dealer, under terms and conditions that the department may prescribe, of certificates of deposit or irrevocable letters of credit issued by a bank and insured by the federal deposit insurance corporation.

(4) "Compressed natural gas" means a product that is used as a fuel and that contains carbon or hydrogen, or both, and is compressed to greater than 24 pounds per square inch absolute base pressure and up to 3,600 pounds per square inch absolute base pressure when sold for use in motor vehicles operated on the public roads and highways of this state.

(5) "Department" means the department of transportation.

(6) "Hydrogen fuel" means fuel that produces energy by combining hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

(7) "Liquefied petroleum gas" means any petroleum product that is sold for use in motor vehicles and that is composed predominantly of any of the following hydrocarbons or mixtures of hydrocarbons:

(a) propane;

(b) propylene;

(c) butane, including normal butane or isobutane; or

(d) butylene.

(8) "Motor vehicle" means any vehicle that is self-propelled by alternative fuel and that is driven on the public roads and highways of this state.

(9) (a) "Person" means a person, firm, association, joint-stock company, syndicate, partnership, or corporation.

(b) When used in any clause prescribing and imposing a fine or imprisonment, or both, as applied to a firm, association, syndicate, or partnership, person means the partners or members of a firm, association, syndicate, or partnership. As applied to a joint-stock company or corporation, the term means the officers of the joint-stock company or corporation.

(10) "Public roads and highways of this state" means all streets, roads, highways, and related structures that are:

(a) built and maintained with appropriated funds of the United States, the state of Montana, or any political subdivision of the state;

(b) dedicated to public use;

(c) acquired by eminent domain, as provided in Title 60, chapter 4, or Title 70, chapter 30; or

(d) acquired by adverse use by the public, with jurisdiction having been assumed by the state or any political subdivision of the state.

History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 405, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 125, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 29, Ch. 125, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 399, L. 2023.