38 www.wpma.com / Fall 2026 State Report MONTANA Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association Report Brad Longcake MPMCSA Executive Director MPMCSA MESSAGE I hope everyone had a safe and successful summer. As we move into the final months of the year, there are sev- eral developments taking shape in Helena that deserve our attention. Having spent the last ten years working on behalf of Mon- tana’s petroleum marketers and convenience store operators, I’ve learned that many of the most important legislative battles start long before a session convenes. The interim committee process is well underway, and several proposals involving taxes, trans- portation funding, insurance, and business regulation are beginning to emerge. Here’s a look at a few of the issues we’re tracking. It has been a busy summer with a lot hap- pening in interim committees. During the summer interim meetings, the Montana Transportation Interim Committee contin- ued its work on several issues that could affect fuel marketers and convenience store operators in the coming years. Of particular interest were discussions surrounding long-term transportation funding. Among the proposals under discussion was a draft bill that would increase Montana’s Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) fees for commercial vehicles, as well as a separate proposal to increase the state’s gasoline fuel tax. While neither proposal has been finalized, their appearance on the committee’s work list signals that transportation funding will be a significant topic during the next legis- lative session. The committee also reviewed highway safety initiatives and emerging autonomous vehicle policies. While many of these discussions remain in the explor- atory stage, they provide an early look at transportation-related proposals that may surface during the 2027 Legislative Session. MPMCSA will continue monitoring these developments as we prepare for session. The Economic Affairs Interim Committee (EAIC) has spent the interim examining a variety of business and regulatory issues that could potentially affect Montana em- ployers and consumers. The committee’s work has included discussions related to workforce development, artificial intelli- gence and its impact on Montana’s work- force, property and casualty insurance markets, financial institution regulation, and the state’s economic development strategies. While the Economic Affairs Committee is not currently considering major petroleum-specific legislation, its work on insurance markets, workforce issues, business regulation, and economic Montana’s Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) fees
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