House Bill 432 revises Montana's water laws concerning the process for changing appropriation rights, introducing specific exceptions that allow appropriators to make changes without prior approval from the department under certain conditions, such as for redundant water supply wells or replacing existing wells. The bill outlines the requirements for filing a notice of change, including timelines and necessary documentation, and mandates that the department issue public notices for any authorized changes. It also clarifies the jurisdiction of the chief water judge and associate water judge, modifies criteria for municipalities and counties regarding changes in the place of use for water rights, and emphasizes the importance of complete and timely filings.

Furthermore, the bill amends the process for temporary changes in appropriation rights, allowing approvals for up to 10 years with unlimited renewals, provided that the department is notified and other appropriators can raise objections. It establishes that the priority of appropriation for temporary changes remains the same as the original right and allows for extensions of up to 30 years if the changes are based on new water conservation or storage projects. The bill also removes previous requirements that would have forced appropriators to cease water appropriation if notices were not filed in time, thereby streamlining the process while ensuring that existing rights and environmental impacts are considered.

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