The Truth About Montana House Bill 267

Montana's House Bill 267 Advances

As this is being written, Montana ranks first in America for DUIs. Neat.

Montana's House Bill 267, also known as "Bobby's Law" received overwhelming support at the Senate hearing.

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NBC Montana reports this bill would bring a new felony offence to Montana with aggravated vehicular homicide while under the influence. Prosecutors would have to prove the blood alcohol content of .16% or above to charge someone with this crime.

What Is The Proposed Sentencing For House Bill 267?

Montana Right Now is reporting:

• Minimum sentence of three years in prison/maximum of 30 years
• OR
• A fine from $10,000 to $50,000

Why Is Montana Calling The Bill Bobby's Law?

It's named for Bobby Dewbre. Bobby was walking across the street in Columbia Falls, Montana on his 21st birthday back in 2023, and was fatally struck by a drunk driver.

The driver will be released from jail in April 2025 because negligence couldn't be proven. The driver was convicted of misdemeanors even though their blood alcohol content was over .20%.

A Former Small Town Bartender's Perspective

This is an important step in the right direction here in Montana.

I grew up in here. I'm not going to lie and say that the people in my family, like my dad, didn't drive under the influence of alcohol quite regularly. In fact, it's quite acceptable in Montana to drive under the influence of alcohol. I'm not saying that as a flex. I'm saying that as a person who watched the adults in their life drive them around while drinking.

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That is the MAIN reason Montana has been number one in America for DUI's. That and other insane laws like a parent can buy alcohol for a minor in a bar as long as they hand them the drink. That's a totally normal and mainstream law. 🙄🙄🙄 Said no one. Ever.

This is a good way to put the accountability for over drinking and then driving a bit back on the person imbibing.

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Montana can come back on the bartender(s) when someone gets a DUI

Look, I was born and raised in small town Montana. I get that drinking is as much a part of small town Montana life as farming and ranching.

I had to stop bartending because being held accountable for someone else's poor choices is ridiculous.

Say someone goes to the bar and drinks a couple beers, then goes out driving around while drinking more beers from their car cooler, then gets into an accident. The state can come back on the bartender and bar. It's ridiculous. It's not worth my financial life. And they know that.

It's about time Montana makes a meaningful move to hinder DUIs that didn't punish someone for being in the bar business.