House Bill No. introduced by S. Fitzpatrick aims to establish a framework for nutrient loading offsets, offset amounts, and trading credits related to water quality discharge permits in Montana. The bill modifies existing language by replacing "pollutant" with "loading" in the context of nutrient management and introduces new provisions that allow point source dischargers to receive offsets or trading credits to satisfy permitting requirements, including nutrient effluent limitations. The bill outlines that these offsets can be authorized for increases in nutrient discharges if a net decrease in nutrient loading is achieved through reductions from other sources within designated hydrologic units.

Additionally, the bill mandates the Department of Environmental Quality to develop acceptable methodologies for determining nutrient loading reductions from nonpoint sources and to amend existing policies to align with the new provisions. It emphasizes the importance of using scientifically supported data and modeling for proposed projects aimed at reducing nutrient loading. The bill includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part is found invalid, the remaining provisions will still be effective, and it establishes an immediate effective date upon passage and approval.