This bill proposes the elimination of the Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Board and designates the Department of Environmental Quality as the new administrator of the Petroleum Tank Release Program. It amends various sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to reflect this change, specifically replacing references to the "board" with "department" in multiple sections related to loans, reimbursements, and eligibility for funds. Additionally, the bill repeals Section 2-15-92108, MCA, which pertains to the board, thereby consolidating authority and responsibilities within the department.

The bill outlines the procedures for reimbursement of eligible costs incurred due to accidental releases from petroleum storage tanks, with the department now responsible for handling reimbursements from the petroleum tank release cleanup fund. It establishes criteria for eligibility, including compliance with state and federal laws at the time of the release, and clarifies the types of costs that can be reimbursed. The amendments also detail the responsibilities of owners or operators in the event of a release, including immediate notification to the department and compliance with corrective action plans. Overall, these changes aim to streamline the management of the cleanup fund and enhance the efficiency of processes involved in addressing petroleum tank releases.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 17-6-225, 75-11-302, 75-11-307, 75-11-308, 75-11-309, 75-11-312, 75-11-313, 75-11-314, 75-11-315, 75-11-318, 75-11-320, 75-11-407, 75-11-408