This bill amends Section 85-2-307 of the Montana Code Annotated, focusing on the process for preliminary determinations regarding water right permits or changes in appropriation rights. Key changes include the requirement for the department to publish notice of receipt of applications on its website and to update this notice when an application is deemed correct and complete. The timeline for the department to issue a draft preliminary determination has been adjusted, allowing 60 days if the applicant has completed a preapplication meeting, or 120 days if they have not. The bill also clarifies the process for public comments on draft preliminary determinations and establishes the conditions under which the department must hold a hearing or issue a final determination.

Additionally, the bill modifies the language surrounding the issuance of preliminary determinations, including the conditions under which an applicant can request an extension for submitting additional information. It specifies that if no public comments are received, the preliminary determination will be adopted as the final determination. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval, with a provision for termination on June 30, 2031.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 85-2-307
SB0076_1(1): 85-2-307
SB0076_1(2): 85-2-307
SB0076_1(3): 85-2-307
SB0076_1(4): 85-2-307
SB0076_1(5): 85-2-307
SB0076_1(6): 85-2-307
SB0076_1(7): 85-2-307
SB0076_1(8): 85-2-307
SB0076_1(9): 85-2-307
SB0076_1: 85-2-307
SB0076_2(1): 85-2-307
SB0076_2(2): 85-2-307
SB0076_2(3): 85-2-307
SB0076_2(4): 85-2-307
SB0076_2(5): 85-2-307
SB0076_2(6): 85-2-307
SB0076_2(7): 85-2-307
SB0076_2(8): 85-2-307
SB0076_2: 85-2-307
SB0076_X(1): 85-2-307
SB0076_X(2): 85-2-307
SB0076_X(3): 85-2-307
SB0076_X(4): 85-2-307
SB0076_X(5): 85-2-307
SB0076_X(6): 85-2-307
SB0076_X(7): 85-2-307
SB0076_X(8): 85-2-307
SB0076_X: 85-2-307