7-14-2805. Establishment and operation of public ferry or wharf by county upon its own motion. (1) Any county of the state may own and establish and the board of county commissioners of any county of the state may operate and manage free or toll ferries and wharves for the use of the public and may employ one or more individuals to operate the free or toll ferries and wharves.
(2) While ferries or wharves are owned by a county and operated and managed by the board, the operation is expressly declared to be a governmental function.
(3) The board may also lease any ferries or wharves owned by the county to a company, firm, or individual to be operated for the use of the public. A company, firm, or individual shall give a bond, in an amount considered sufficient by the board, conditioned for the careful and businesslike operation of the ferry or wharf in accordance with law and the regulations of the board. When a ferry or wharf is operated by a lessee of the county, the operation is the private function of the lessee.
History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 33, L. 1909; re-en. Sec. 4480, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 4480, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 38, L. 1943; R.C.M. 1947, 16-1119; amd. Sec. 599, Ch. 61, L. 2007.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
7-14-2801. General powers of county relating to ferries
7-14-2802. Construction and operation of ferries uniting two counties
7-14-2803. Establishment and operation of public ferry or wharf upon petition
7-14-2804. Acquisition of property for public ferries and wharves
7-14-2805. Establishment and operation of public ferry or wharf by county upon its own motion
7-14-2806. Rules and rates for public ferry or wharf
7-14-2807. Tax levy for public ferry -- combined ferry and bridge fund
7-14-2808. through 7-14-2820 reserved
7-14-2821. Permission to operate ferry between counties
7-14-2822. Notice of application to operate ferry
7-14-2823. Hearing and decision on application
7-14-2824. Preference for landowner
7-14-2825. Establishment of new ferry near existing ferry
7-14-2826. Regulation of ferry operation -- penalties
7-14-2827. Surety bond required
7-14-2829. Acquisition of land for ferry