House Bill 681 revises the laws governing local and state regulation of subdivisions and the determination of water availability in Montana. It clarifies the definition of "water right" to exclude authorized notices of intent to appropriate groundwater and amends the process for issuing certificates of water rights for exempt groundwater appropriations. The bill introduces new requirements for filing notices of intent, including timelines for corrections, and establishes that water use by public water supply systems is perfected upon construction completion. Additionally, it outlines exceptions to permit requirements for groundwater appropriation, particularly for local fire agencies and certain nonconsumptive uses, and allows for the construction of livestock water impoundments without a permit under specific conditions.

Significant insertions in the bill require governing bodies to base their subdivision review decisions solely on the criteria outlined in the chapter, without influence from state agency decisions. It mandates that evidence of adequate water availability for proposed subdivisions must be demonstrated through various means, including water rights or technical analyses. The bill also emphasizes the need for sufficient water quality evidence and preliminary analyses of potential groundwater impacts from wastewater systems. Furthermore, it establishes the responsibilities of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation in rule adoption for subdivision approvals and sets standards for independent reviewers and local health departments to ensure compliance with state regulations. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and applies to subdivisions reviewed under Title 76, chapter 3, on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_1(1): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_1(2): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_1(3): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_1(4): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_1: 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_2(1): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_2(10): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_2(11): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_2(12): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_2(2): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_2(3): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_2(4): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_2(5): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_2(6): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_2(7): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_2(8): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_2(9): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_2: 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_3(1): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_3(2): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_3(3): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_3(4): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_3(5): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_3(6): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_3(7): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_3: 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_4(1): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_4(10): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_4(11): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_4(12): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_4(2): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_4(3): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_4(4): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_4(5): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_4(6): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_4(7): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_4(8): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_4(9): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_4: 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_X(1): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_X(2): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_X(3): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_X(4): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_X(5): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_X(6): 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306
HB0681_X: 76-3-501, 76-3-604, 76-3-608, 76-3-622, 76-4-104, 85-2-102, 85-2-306