House Bill No. introduced by G. Parry aims to provide a sustainable water supply for the town of Colstrip by establishing the Town of Colstrip Water Infrastructure Mitigation Account. This account will receive $2 million annually from coal severance tax collections after other allocations are made, ensuring that funds are available to support the town's water supply needs, particularly in the event that the proximate coal-fired generating unit closes or retires. The bill also mandates a review of the account every ten years to ensure sufficient funding levels, with findings reported to the economic affairs interim committee.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 15-35-108 of the Montana Code Annotated to clarify the allocation of severance taxes, including the establishment of the new water infrastructure mitigation account. The previous requirement for coal-fired generating unit operators to provide perpetual access to water for the town has been removed, shifting the focus to financial support through the newly created account. This legislative change reflects a strategic approach to address the water supply challenges faced by Colstrip while ensuring that the town has the necessary resources to manage its water infrastructure effectively.

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(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