House Bill 432 revises Montana's water laws concerning the change in appropriation rights process, 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 has equal or lesser capacity and is within 200 feet of the original. 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 (MCA), including the jurisdiction of water judges and the procedures for hearings on objections to changes in appropriation rights. Significant deletions include the removal of requirements for municipalities to report annually on water diversion and the stipulation that appropriators must cease water appropriation if a notice is not filed in time. The bill clarifies the process for temporary changes in appropriation rights, allowing approvals for up to 10 years with renewal options, while ensuring that existing water rights are protected and that public notice and objection procedures are established. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the regulatory framework governing water appropriation rights in Montana.

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