The bill establishes the Town of Colstrip Water Infrastructure Mitigation Account within the state special revenue fund, which will receive $2 million annually from coal severance tax collections after other allocations are made. This account is intended to ensure that the town of Colstrip has access to a reliable water supply, particularly in the event that the nearby coal-fired generating unit closes or retires. The Department of Natural Resources will review the account every ten years to ensure that the funding remains adequate for its intended purpose and will report its findings to the economic affairs interim committee.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 15-35-108 of the Montana Code Annotated to include the new account and its funding provisions. The previous requirement for coal-fired generating unit operators to provide perpetual access to water for the town has been replaced with a more general provision for providing access to water. The bill aims to enhance the financial assurance necessary for water provision to the town while also revising certain definitions and amending related sections of the law.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 75-8-103, 75-10-721
HB0368_1(1): 75-8-103, 75-10-721
HB0368_1(2): 75-8-103, 75-10-721
HB0368_1(3): 75-8-103, 75-10-721
HB0368_1(4): 75-8-103, 75-10-721
HB0368_1(5): 75-8-103, 75-10-721
HB0368_1: 75-8-103, 75-10-721
HB0368_2(1): 15-35-108
HB0368_2(10): 15-35-108
HB0368_2(11): 15-35-108
HB0368_2(12): 15-35-108
HB0368_2(13): 15-35-108
HB0368_2(14): 15-35-108
HB0368_2(15): 15-35-108
HB0368_2(16): 15-35-108
HB0368_2(17): 15-35-108
HB0368_2(18): 15-35-108
HB0368_2(2): 15-35-108
HB0368_2(3): 15-35-108
HB0368_2(4): 15-35-108
HB0368_2(5): 15-35-108
HB0368_2(6): 15-35-108
HB0368_2(7): 15-35-108
HB0368_2(8): 15-35-108
HB0368_2(9): 15-35-108
HB0368_2: 15-35-108
HB0368_X(1): 15-35-108
HB0368_X(10): 15-35-108
HB0368_X(11): 15-35-108
HB0368_X(12): 15-35-108
HB0368_X(13): 15-35-108
HB0368_X(2): 15-35-108
HB0368_X(3): 15-35-108
HB0368_X(4): 15-35-108
HB0368_X(5): 15-35-108
HB0368_X(6): 15-35-108
HB0368_X(7): 15-35-108
HB0368_X(8): 15-35-108
HB0368_X(9): 15-35-108
HB0368_X: 15-35-108