House Bill 318 amends Section 50-2-116 of the Montana Code Annotated to establish an appeal process for certain requirements related to sewage disposal systems. The bill removes the previous requirement for appeals to be made to the local governing body and instead allows for an appeal to challenge whether permit requirements are more stringent than state or local standards. Until an official appeals process is included in the regulations, applicants or property owners can appeal to the local governing body. Additionally, the bill introduces a prohibition on constructing subsurface wastewater treatment systems if the associated mixing zone encroaches onto adjacent property for parcels created after March 30, 2011.

The bill also outlines the powers and duties of local boards of health, emphasizing their role in public health management, including the regulation of sewage disposal and water well drilling. It specifies that local boards of health must propose regulations that are not less stringent than state standards and must include provisions for variance decisions and appeals. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions to ensure that local health directives do not interfere with access to private businesses or religious facilities during emergencies, while still allowing local boards to enforce compliance with health regulations.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 50-2-116
HB0318_1(1): 50-2-116
HB0318_1(10): 50-2-116
HB0318_1(11): 50-2-116
HB0318_1(12): 50-2-116
HB0318_1(13): 50-2-116
HB0318_1(14): 50-2-116
HB0318_1(15): 50-2-116
HB0318_1(2): 50-2-116
HB0318_1(3): 50-2-116
HB0318_1(4): 50-2-116
HB0318_1(5): 50-2-116
HB0318_1(6): 50-2-116
HB0318_1(7): 50-2-116
HB0318_1(8): 50-2-116
HB0318_1(9): 50-2-116
HB0318_1: 50-2-116
HB0318_2(1): 50-2-116
HB0318_2(10): 50-2-116
HB0318_2(2): 50-2-116
HB0318_2(3): 50-2-116
HB0318_2(4): 50-2-116
HB0318_2(5): 50-2-116
HB0318_2(6): 50-2-116
HB0318_2(7): 50-2-116
HB0318_2(8): 50-2-116
HB0318_2(9): 50-2-116
HB0318_2: 50-2-116
HB0318_X(1): 50-2-116
HB0318_X(2): 50-2-116
HB0318_X(3): 50-2-116
HB0318_X(4): 50-2-116
HB0318_X(5): 50-2-116
HB0318_X(6): 50-2-116
HB0318_X: 50-2-116