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 water supply in the event that the nearby coal-fired generating unit closes or retires. The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation will review the account every ten years to ensure that the funding remains adequate for its intended purpose.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 15-35-108 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to include the new provisions related to the Colstrip account while removing previous language that required coal-fired generating unit operators to provide perpetual access to water for the town. The bill aims to create a sustainable financial mechanism to support the town's water infrastructure needs in light of potential changes in the coal industry.

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(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: 15-35-108