Flathead lawmakers have proposed legislation to dedicate portions of U.S. 2 to two Montana Highway Patrol troopers who were killed in line-of-duty vehicle collisions.

Rep. Jon Sonju, R-Kalispell, has drafted a bill that would dedicate the stretch of highway between Kalispell and Columbia Falls to Trooper David Graham, who was killed in a head-on collision on U.S. 2 north of West Reserve Drive on Oct. 9, 2007.

Rep. Mark Blasdel, R-Somers, is sponsoring a bill that would dedicate the stretch of highway between Columbia Falls and Hungry Horse to Trooper Evan Schneider, who was killed along with two other people in a head-on crash near Bad Rock Canyon on Aug. 28, 2008.

Both bills provide for markers to be installed on the highways as well as state highway map updates to recognize the memorial designations for the two troopers.

The bills are scheduled for a hearing in Helena before the House Transportation Committee starting at 3 p.m. Feb. 4.

"David Graham's half brother did some heating and cooling work for me at our business and we just kind of struck up a conversation about it and here we are," said Sonju, who chairs the Transportation Committee. "It's just such a simple thing that we can do to honor their service and their lives."

Blasdel said he has gotten to know Schneider's mother, who lives in his district.

"And we have been contacted by several troopers asking us to do it," Blasdel said.

Several troopers and surviving family members are expected to testify at next week's hearing.

"I'm sure it will be a very emotional hearing," Sonju said. "We scheduled them together so everyone can support each other. I think it's going to mean a lot to them."

The funerals for both troopers drew scores of law enforcement officers and emergency responders from across the state and the region.

Only six troopers have died in the line of duty since the Highway Patrol was created in 1935.

The bills are HB 304 and 311.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at [email protected]