Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana HB685: Feasibility allowance for nondegradation policy
Status: Signed into law, May 19, 2025
What the bill says
An act providing a feasibility allowance to meet the water quality nondegradation policy; revising a definition; amending administrative rules; providing rulemaking authority; amending sections 75-5-103, 75-5-301, 75-5-303, 75-5-316, 75-5-516, and 75-5-605, mca; and providing an immediate effective date.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT PROVIDING A FEASIBILITY ALLOWANCE TO MEET THE WATER QUALITY NONDEGRADATION POLICY; REVISING A DEFINITION; AMENDING ADMINISTRATIVE RULES; PROVIDING RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; AMENDING SECTIONS 75-5-103, 75-5-301, 75-5-303, 75-5-316, 75-5-516, AND 75-5-605, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE. Section 1. Section 75-5-103, MCA, is amended to read: "75-5-103. (Temporary) Definitions. Unless the context requires otherwise, in this chapter the following definitions apply: (1) "Associated supporting infrastructure" (b) pipeline facilities; (c) aboveground ponds and reservoirs and underground storage reservoirs; (d) rail transportation; (e) aqueducts and diversion dams; (f) devices or equipment associated with the delivery of an energy form or product produced at an energy development project; or (g) other supporting infrastructure, as defined by department rule, that is necessary for an energy development project. (2) "Board" means the board of environmental review provided for in 2-15-3502. (3) "Contamination" means impairment of the quality of state waters by sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes, creating a hazard to human health. (4) "Council" means the water pollution control advisory council provided for in 2-15-2107. - 1 - Authorized Print Version - HB 685 ENROLLED BILL **** 69th Legislature 2025 HB 685 (5) (a) "Currently available data" means data that is readily available to the department at the time a decision is made, including information supporting its previous lists of water bodies that …
Sponsors
- Fitzpatrick, Steve (R, 24) · primary sponsor
- Galt, Wylie (R, 39)
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
- : (LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
- : (H) Sent to Enrolling
- : (S) 3rd Reading
- : (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
Votes
- Do Concur (April 18, 2025): 33 yea, 17 nay, passed
- Do Concur (April 17, 2025): 30 yea, 17 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 7, 2025): 56 yea, 43 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 5, 2025): 56 yea, 42 nay, passed
Subjects: Rule Making, Water, Environmental Protection
Common questions
- What is HB685?
- HB685 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Feasibility allowance for nondegradation policy.
- What does HB685 do?
- In its own words: An act providing a feasibility allowance to meet the water quality nondegradation policy; revising a definition; amending administrative rules; providing rulemaking authority; amending sections 75-5-103, 75-5-301, 75-5-303, 75-5-316, 75-5-516, and 75-5-605, mca; and providing an immediate effective date.
- What is the status of HB685?
- Signed into law as of May 19, 2025. Latest action: Chapter Number Assigned (May 19, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB685?
- Fitzpatrick, Steve (R, 24), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB685?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC2392
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.