Montana Dyed-Diesel Enforcement Pause Ends November 23

Montana's Department of Transportation posted an FAQ page explaining Executive Order No. 11-2026, which Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras signed Oct. 9. The order temporarily suspends enforcement of state dyed-fuel restrictions for commercial motor vehicles directly engaged in agricultural or timber operations. The FAQ defines qualifying vehicles using the standard CMV threshold — 10,001 pounds gross vehicle or combination weight or more, plus passenger and hazmat categories — and lists covered cargo: livestock, feed, seed, fertilizer, timber, logs, wood chips, biomass and forestry equipment.

MDT said Montana law caps gubernatorial executive orders at 45 days, so the suspension ends Nov. 23 unless extended. Neither the governor's order nor the related presidential order addresses what happens to dyed fuel left in tanks after that date. MDT said its Motor Carrier Services enforcement officers will issue warnings only, for 30 days after expiration, giving carriers seven days from an inspection to burn out or purge dyed fuel. Exceeding 2 parts per million in a propulsion tank on a public road counts as operating with untaxed fuel under state statute. MDT said it will publish IFTA reporting guidance before the fourth quarter ends.

All sources

• Executive Order No. 11-2026 FAQs — Government site: Montana Department of Transportation, 2026-10-19