The bill seeks to revise the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) by clarifying its purpose as a procedural tool for informed decision-making regarding environmental impacts, rather than a regulatory authority. It establishes new procedural guidelines, including reaffirming that the burden of proof for proving the unconstitutionality of licensing or permitting decisions lies with the plaintiff, and mandates that legal proceedings occur in the county where the proposed activity is to take place. The bill also repeals certain existing laws related to MEPA's policies and goals, streamlining the legal framework for environmental assessments and ensuring that agencies cannot withhold permits based on MEPA requirements.

Additionally, the bill amends various sections of the Montana Code Annotated to enhance the efficiency of environmental reviews. It clarifies the responsibilities of project sponsors and state agencies, specifying that alternatives analysis does not bind sponsors to a specific action and that greenhouse gas emissions evaluations are limited to specific circumstances. The bill introduces a structured process for judicial challenges, requiring parties to submit an affidavit certifying that their evidence is new and significant, and outlines conditions for granting injunctive relief. Overall, the amendments aim to balance the interests of project sponsors with environmental considerations while maintaining necessary oversight and public involvement.

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