Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana HB432: Revise water laws concerning exceptions to change in appropriation right process
Status: Signed into law, May 19, 2025
What the bill says
An act revising water laws concerning exceptions to the change in appropriation right process; providing rulemaking authority; and amending sections 3-7-224, 85-2309, 85-2-402, and 85-2-407, mca.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT REVISING WATER LAWS CONCERNING EXCEPTIONS TO THE CHANGE IN APPROPRIATION RIGHT PROCESS; PROVIDING RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; AND AMENDING SECTIONS 3-7-224, 85-2309, 85-2-402, AND 85-2-407, MCA. Section 1. Changes in appropriation rights -- exceptions. (1) (a) An appropriator may change an appropriation right without the prior approval of the department for the purpose of constructing a redundant water supply well in a public water supply system as defined in 75-6-102 if the redundant water supply and (ii) is required by a state or federal agency. (b) The priority date of the redundant water supply well is the same as the priority date of the original well. Only one well may be used at one time. (c) (i) Within 60 days of completion of a redundant water supply well and the infrastructure necessary to use the well, the appropriator shall file a correct and complete notice of change in appropriation right for redundant water supply well construction with the department on a form provided by the department. If the redundant water supply well is located on national forest system lands, the notice is not correct and complete under this subsection (1)(c)(i) until the appropriator has submitted proof of any written special use authorization required by federal law to occupy, use, or traverse national forest system lands for the purpose of constructing …
Sponsors
- Darling, Julie (R, 84) · primary sponsor
- Morigeau, Shane (D, 50)
Latest actions
- : Chapter Number Assigned
- : (H) Signed by Governor
- : (H) Transmitted to Governor
- : (S) Signed by President
- : (H) Signed by Speaker
- : (H) Returned from Enrolling
- : (H) Sent to Enrolling
- : (S) 3rd Reading
- : (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
- : (S) 2nd Reading
Votes
- Do Concur (April 28, 2025): 45 yea, 4 nay, passed
- Do Concur (April 25, 2025): 44 yea, 3 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 4, 2025): 93 yea, 6 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 3, 2025): 95 yea, 4 nay, passed
- AMD-HB0432.002.002 Darling DO PASS (March 3, 2025): 34 yea, 65 nay, failed
Subjects: Rule Making, Water
Common questions
- What is HB432?
- HB432 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Revise water laws concerning exceptions to change in appropriation right process.
- What does HB432 do?
- In its own words: An act revising water laws concerning exceptions to the change in appropriation right process; providing rulemaking authority; and amending sections 3-7-224, 85-2309, 85-2-402, and 85-2-407, mca.
- What is the status of HB432?
- Signed into law as of May 19, 2025. Latest action: Chapter Number Assigned (May 19, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB432?
- Darling, Julie (R, 84), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB432?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1458
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.