House Bill No. [insert bill number] proposes the creation of a Water Division Court in Montana, which will be overseen by judges appointed by the Governor from a list provided by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The bill outlines the court's jurisdiction, which includes enforcing water rights and managing water distribution, while also establishing procedures for addressing complaints from water users. Key amendments define the Water Division Court as a court of record and clarify the roles of water division judges and water masters, including their powers in adjudicating water rights. The bill also introduces provisions for direct appeals to the Supreme Court and details the appointment process for judges, including staggered terms of six years.

Additionally, the bill amends various sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to reflect the establishment of the Water Division Court, replacing references to "district court" with "water division court" in multiple contexts. It streamlines the legal framework by repealing outdated sections and clarifying the responsibilities of water commissioners and mediators, including their appointment and duties. The bill emphasizes the protection of prior appropriators' water rights and outlines procedures for addressing violations, such as issuing temporary restraining orders. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance the management and enforcement of water rights in Montana, ensuring a more efficient and accountable system for water resource governance.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 2-4-702, 3-1-102, 3-1-901, 3-1-904, 3-1-905, 3-1-907, 3-7-101, 3-7-103, 3-7-202, 3-7-203, 3-7-204, 3-7-221, 3-7-301, 3-7-311, 3-7-401, 3-7-402, 3-7-403, 3-7-404, 3-7-501, 3-7-502, 19-5-101, 19-5-301, 85-2-102, 85-2-112, 85-2-114, 85-2-122, 85-2-123, 85-2-125, 85-2-309, 85-2-405, 85-2-406, 85-5-101, 85-5-102, 85-5-103, 85-5-106, 85-5-107, 85-5-109, 85-5-110, 85-5-111, 85-5-201, 85-5-203, 85-5-204, 85-5-301, 85-5-401, 85-5-402, 85-5-403, 85-5-407, 85-5-408
HB0886_1(1): 2-4-702, 3-1-102, 3-1-901, 3-1-904, 3-1-905, 3-1-907, 3-7-101, 3-7-103, 3-7-202, 3-7-203, 3-7-204, 3-7-221, 3-7-301, 3-7-311, 3-7-401, 3-7-402, 3-7-403, 3-7-404, 3-7-501, 3-7-502, 19-5-101, 19-5-301, 85-2-102, 85-2-112, 85-2-114, 85-2-122, 85-2-123, 85-2-125, 85-2-309, 85-2-405, 85-2-406, 85-5-101, 85-5-102, 85-5-103, 85-5-106, 85-5-107, 85-5-109, 85-5-110, 85-5-111, 85-5-201, 85-5-203, 85-5-204, 85-5-301, 85-5-401, 85-5-402, 85-5-403, 85-5-407, 85-5-408
HB0886_1(2): 2-4-702, 3-1-102, 3-1-901, 3-1-904, 3-1-905, 3-1-907, 3-7-101, 3-7-103, 3-7-202, 3-7-203, 3-7-204, 3-7-221, 3-7-301, 3-7-311, 3-7-401, 3-7-402, 3-7-403, 3-7-404, 3-7-501, 3-7-502, 19-5-101, 19-5-301, 85-2-102, 85-2-112, 85-2-114, 85-2-122, 85-2-123, 85-2-125, 85-2-309, 85-2-405, 85-2-406, 85-5-101, 85-5-102, 85-5-103, 85-5-106, 85-5-107, 85-5-109, 85-5-110, 85-5-111, 85-5-201, 85-5-203, 85-5-204, 85-5-301, 85-5-401, 85-5-402, 85-5-403, 85-5-407, 85-5-408
HB0886_1(3): 2-4-702, 3-1-102, 3-1-901, 3-1-904, 3-1-905, 3-1-907, 3-7-101, 3-7-103, 3-7-202, 3-7-203, 3-7-204, 3-7-221, 3-7-301, 3-7-311, 3-7-401, 3-7-402, 3-7-403, 3-7-404, 3-7-501, 3-7-502, 19-5-101, 19-5-301, 85-2-102, 85-2-112, 85-2-114, 85-2-122, 85-2-123, 85-2-125, 85-2-309, 85-2-405, 85-2-406, 85-5-101, 85-5-102, 85-5-103, 85-5-106, 85-5-107, 85-5-109, 85-5-110, 85-5-111, 85-5-201, 85-5-203, 85-5-204, 85-5-301, 85-5-401, 85-5-402, 85-5-403, 85-5-407, 85-5-408
HB0886_1: 2-4-702, 3-1-102, 3-1-901, 3-1-904, 3-1-905, 3-1-907, 3-7-101, 3-7-103, 3-7-202, 3-7-203, 3-7-204, 3-7-221, 3-7-301, 3-7-311, 3-7-401, 3-7-402, 3-7-403, 3-7-404, 3-7-501, 3-7-502, 19-5-101, 19-5-301, 85-2-102, 85-2-112, 85-2-114, 85-2-122, 85-2-123, 85-2-125, 85-2-309, 85-2-405, 85-2-406, 85-5-101, 85-5-102, 85-5-103, 85-5-106, 85-5-107, 85-5-109, 85-5-110, 85-5-111, 85-5-201, 85-5-203, 85-5-204, 85-5-301, 85-5-401, 85-5-402, 85-5-403, 85-5-407, 85-5-408