House Bill 270 amends the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) to revise the requirements for environmental reviews and the associated judicial remedies. The bill clarifies that environmental assessments and impact statements are intended to assist the legislature in evaluating environmental laws and informing the public. It removes the provision that allowed state agencies to exercise regulatory authority beyond existing statutes and modifies the evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions, stating that such assessments may only be included in environmental reviews if conducted jointly with a federal agency or if federal law changes. Additionally, the bill establishes stricter criteria for judicial challenges, allowing them only against final agency actions and requiring that they be based on comments submitted during the review process.

The bill introduces new provisions that limit courts' ability to grant injunctive relief, requiring challengers to demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits and to post a written undertaking for potential costs. It specifies that attorney fees cannot be awarded to the prevailing party in these actions and emphasizes the need for a systematic approach in environmental assessments. Furthermore, it allows individuals seeking permits to intervene in lawsuits challenging agency decisions and clarifies that challenges must be based on formal comments submitted prior to the agency's final decision. Overall, these amendments aim to streamline the environmental review process while ensuring compliance with state and federal laws.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_1(1): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_1(10): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_1(11): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_1(12): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_1(2): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_1(3): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_1(4): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_1(5): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_1(6): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_1(7): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_1(8): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_1(9): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_1: 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_2(1): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_2(10): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_2(11): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_2(12): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_2(13): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_2(14): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_2(15): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_2(16): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_2(17): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_2(18): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_2(19): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_2(2): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_2(3): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_2(4): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_2(5): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_2(6): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_2(7): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_2(8): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_2(9): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_2: 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_X(1): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_X(2): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_X(3): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_X(4): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_X(5): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_X(6): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_X(7): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_X(8): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_X(9): 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208
HB0270_X: 75-1-102, 75-1-201, 75-1-208