The bill establishes a framework for the temporary leasing of water rights in Montana, allowing appropriators to lease their rights under specific conditions. It outlines that applications for temporary leases must comply with certain requirements and are exempt from several existing provisions. Key stipulations include that the leased water cannot exceed the total consumptive use of the appropriation right, and for irrigation rights, it is limited to 2 acre-feet per acre irrigated. The bill also specifies that the lease duration cannot exceed five years within a ten-year period and that the volume and flow rate of water leased must not exceed the original appropriation right. Additionally, the use of the appropriation right at the associated place of use is prohibited during the lease period.

The bill amends existing definitions related to water rights and introduces new language regarding the temporary lease of appropriation rights. It clarifies that the lease does not constitute abandonment of the right and establishes a process for objections to proposed leases, including a mechanism for hearings if objections are deemed valid. The department is tasked with evaluating applications and ensuring compliance with the new provisions, including the requirement for measuring leased water at the point of diversion. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the management and flexibility of water rights in Montana while protecting the interests of existing appropriators.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(1): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(10): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(11): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(12): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(13): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(14): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(15): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(16): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(17): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(18): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(19): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(2): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(20): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(21): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(22): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(23): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(24): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(25): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(26): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(27): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(28): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(29): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(3): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(30): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(31): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(32): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(33): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(34): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(35): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(36): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(37): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(38): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(39): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(4): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(40): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(41): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(42): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(43): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(44): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(45): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(5): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(6): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(7): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(8): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1(9): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_1: 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_2(1): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_2(10): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_2(11): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_2(12): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_2(13): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_2(14): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_2(15): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_2(2): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_2(3): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_2(4): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_2(5): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_2(6): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_2(7): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_2(8): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_2(9): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_2: 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_3(1): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_3(2): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_3(3): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_3(4): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_3(5): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_3: 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_X(1): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_X(10): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_X(11): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_X(12): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_X(13): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_X(2): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_X(3): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_X(4): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_X(5): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_X(6): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_X(7): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_X(8): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_X(9): 85-2-102, 85-2-404
SB0178_X: 85-2-102, 85-2-404