House Bill 681 revises laws related to the regulation of subdivisions and the determination of water availability in Montana. It clarifies the definition of "water right," specifying that it does not include an authorized notice 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 considered 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.

The bill also emphasizes the need for adequate evidence of water supply and sewage disposal facilities in subdivision reviews, while restricting governing bodies from imposing additional information requirements beyond those specified. It introduces new standards for the review process by local health departments or independent reviewers and clarifies definitions related to water rights and beneficial use. The effective date for the bill is set for January 1, 2026, and it applies to subdivisions reviewed under Title 76, chapter 3, on or after that date. Overall, the amendments aim to streamline the subdivision review process and water appropriation while ensuring the protection of existing water rights and environmental safeguards.

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