MontanaSome Montana landowners would qualify for water permit exceptions
Owners of certain Montana lots could use earlier state letters to qualify for water permit exceptions, with water use limited to the letters’ allowed amounts and purposes.
What it does
Outside the Flathead Indian Reservation, certain lots could qualify for water permit exceptions using older state letters. Owners must follow the letters’ limits, get subdivision approval when required, and file a notice of intent before January 1, 2032.
Argument forEligible owners could rely on earlier state letters to plan water use, reducing uncertainty after the agencies ended their review arrangement.
Argument againstWater use allowed under older letters could put pressure on shared groundwater supplies used by other water users.
More detail
Certain lots would qualify for water permit exceptions based on earlier state letters. Eligible lots must have been created after October 17, 2014, and received the state water department’s letter before February 14, 2024. The section excludes land within the Flathead Indian Reservation. The letter must not have been withdrawn and must say the water supply is exempt from permits or already has a water right. Water use must stay within the amount and purpose allowed by the letter. Owners must obtain state subdivision approval when required and file a notice of intent—a notice of planned water use—before January 1, 2032. The act would take effect on passage and approval.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 19(LC) Draft in AssemblyLatest
- Oct 19(LC) Draft in Final Drafter Review
- Oct 14(LC) Draft in Input/Proofing
- Oct 6(LC) Draft in Edit
- Sep 30(LC) Draft in Legal Review
- Sep 17(LC) Drafter AssignedIntroduced
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