The bill revises the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) to clarify its procedural nature and establish a new policy for environmental analysis, emphasizing that MEPA is not intended to grant additional regulatory authority to state agencies. It requires that any plaintiff challenging the constitutionality of a licensing or permitting decision must first prove the unconstitutionality of the underlying statute. Additionally, the bill mandates that legal proceedings related to environmental actions occur in the county where the proposed activity is to take place. Key amendments include the deletion of certain sections outlining MEPA's policies and goals, while new language is inserted to ensure a balanced view of social, economic, and environmental objectives.

The bill also introduces significant changes to the environmental review process, including clarifying that alternatives analysis does not bind project sponsors and modifying the consultation process to require agencies to "request" comments rather than "obtain" them. It establishes that challenges to agency decisions can only be made against final decision documents and must be based on comments submitted during the review process. Furthermore, the bill outlines the judicial review process, emphasizing that courts will only consider evidence presented during the agency's review and will not allow challenges based on greenhouse gas emissions unless specific federal conditions are met. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the environmental review process while ensuring transparency and public involvement, with an immediate effective date upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_1(1): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_1(2): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_1(3): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_1(4): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_1(5): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_1(6): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_1(7): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_1(8): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_1(9): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_1: 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_2(1): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_2(10): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_2(11): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_2(12): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_2(13): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_2(14): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_2(2): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_2(3): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_2(4): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_2(5): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_2(6): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_2(7): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_2(8): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_2(9): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_2: 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_X(1): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_X(2): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_X(3): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_X(4): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_X(5): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_X(6): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_X(7): 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324
HB0285_X: 5-16-102, 75-1-102, 75-1-104, 75-1-106, 75-1-201, 75-1-208, 75-1-324