House Bill 432 revises Montana's water laws to streamline the process for changing appropriation rights, allowing certain exceptions that enable appropriators to modify their water rights without prior approval from the department under specific conditions. Key provisions include the ability to construct redundant water supply wells, replace existing wells, and change points of diversion, provided that the redundant well withdraws from the same aquifer and the replacement well does not exceed the original's rate and volume. Additionally, municipalities and county water and sewer districts can change the place of use for unperfected municipal use permits without prior approval, as long as they meet specified criteria.

The bill also amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated, including the jurisdiction of water judges and the procedures for hearings on objections to changes in appropriation rights. Significant deletions include the removal of previous requirements for municipalities to report annually on water diversion and the stipulation that an appropriator must cease water appropriation if a notice of replacement point of diversion is not filed in time. The bill further clarifies the process for temporary changes in appropriation rights, allowing approvals for up to 10 years with unlimited renewals, and establishes conditions for changes related to water conservation or storage projects that can last up to 30 years. Overall, these amendments aim to enhance regulatory efficiency while protecting existing water rights.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_1(1): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_1(2): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_1(3): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_1(4): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_1(5): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_1: 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_2(1): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_2(10): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_2(11): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_2(2): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_2(3): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_2(4): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_2(5): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_2(6): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_2(7): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_2(8): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_2(9): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_2: 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_X(1): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_X(10): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_X(11): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_X(12): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_X(13): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_X(14): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_X(15): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_X(16): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_X(17): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_X(2): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_X(3): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_X(4): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_X(5): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_X(6): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_X(7): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_X(8): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_X(9): 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407
HB0432_X: 3-7-224, 85-2-309, 85-2-402, 85-2-407