This bill amends the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) sections 75-11-307 and 75-11-308, revising the reimbursement date for petroleum storage tank cleanup funds and extending rulemaking authority. Notably, the bill changes the reimbursement eligibility date from April 13, 1989, to January 1, 1984, for owners or operators seeking reimbursement for eligible costs caused by a release from a petroleum storage tank. The bill specifies that eligible costs include corrective action costs and compensation for third-party bodily injury or property damage, while also outlining various ineligible expenses, such as costs incurred before the new eligibility date and costs for which reimbursement has already been received from other sources.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the conditions under which an owner or operator is eligible for reimbursement, emphasizing that the release must be accidental and that the tank must have been compliant with relevant laws at the time of the release. The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2025. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the reimbursement process for petroleum storage tank cleanup while ensuring that funds are allocated appropriately and responsibly.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 75-11-307, 75-11-308
HB0189_1(1): 75-11-307, 75-11-308
HB0189_1(2): 75-11-307, 75-11-308
HB0189_1(3): 75-11-307, 75-11-308
HB0189_1(4): 75-11-307, 75-11-308
HB0189_1(5): 75-11-307, 75-11-308
HB0189_1(6): 75-11-307, 75-11-308
HB0189_1: 75-11-307, 75-11-308
HB0189_2: 75-11-307, 75-11-308
HB0189_X(1): 75-11-307, 75-11-308
HB0189_X(2): 75-11-307, 75-11-308
HB0189_X(3): 75-11-307, 75-11-308
HB0189_X(4): 75-11-307, 75-11-308
HB0189_X(5): 75-11-307, 75-11-308
HB0189_X: 75-11-307, 75-11-308