House Bill 576 amends Montana's mining regulations by updating definitions and requirements related to water and coal mining operations. The bill removes certain definitions from ARM 17.24.301, including "material damage" and "materially damage the quantity or quality of water," and introduces new language that clarifies "material damage" as significant long-term or permanent adverse changes to water quality or quantity resulting from coal mining and reclamation. It also specifies conditions under which degradation of water quality or quantity in alluvial valley floors and subsidence impacts from underground mining would be classified as material damage.

In addition to redefining terms, the bill revises the permit application process, mandating operators to submit detailed plans for mining, reclamation, and monitoring of hydrologic impacts. New definitions such as "wildlife habitat enhancement feature" and "unwarranted failure to comply" are introduced, while existing definitions are amended for clarity. The bill requires public notice for permit applications and insurance coverage for mining operations. It establishes an immediate effective date with retroactive applicability, includes a severability clause, and a contingent voidness provision, ensuring that any disapproved portions by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior will be rendered void.

Statutes affected:
HB0576_1.pdf: 75-5-317, 82-4-203
HB0576_2.pdf: 75-5-317, 82-4-203
HB0576_3.pdf: 75-5-317, 82-4-203
HB0576_X.pdf: 82-4-203, 82-4-222
Enrolled: 82-4-203, 82-4-222
Amended: 75-5-317, 82-4-203
Introduced: 75-5-317, 82-4-203