Senate Bill No. [number], introduced by B. Beard, aims to revise the regulations surrounding state ownership of water rights used on state lands. The bill removes previous restrictions on state ownership of water rights and introduces a new process for the Land Board to determine whether to authorize the state to assert ownership of privately owned water rights that are temporarily used on state lands. Additionally, the bill amends Section 77-6-301 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to clarify that lessees of state lands can make improvements related to water rights and outlines the conditions under which water right owners can utilize water from private land for beneficial use on state trust land.

The bill also establishes a framework for the Department to notify lessees or water right owners of its intention to seek authorization from the board to obtain ownership interests in water rights. It mandates that the board must hold a public hearing where affected parties can present their case against the department's request. Furthermore, the department is required to report on water rights it has acquired from lessees since July 1, 1982, and the board may take further action based on this information. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 77-6-301
SB0263_1(1): 77-6-301
SB0263_1(2): 77-6-301
SB0263_1: 77-6-301
SB0263_2(1): 77-6-301
SB0263_2(2): 77-6-301
SB0263_2(3): 77-6-301
SB0263_2(4): 77-6-301
SB0263_2(5): 77-6-301
SB0263_2(6): 77-6-301
SB0263_2(7): 77-6-301
SB0263_2(8): 77-6-301
SB0263_2(9): 77-6-301
SB0263_2: 77-6-301