House Bill 664 seeks to revise Montana's water quality standards by eliminating numeric nutrient standards and replacing them with narrative nutrient standards. The bill directs the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to amend existing administrative rules to remove all references to numeric nutrient standards, including the repeal of department circular DEQ-12A, which established these standards. Additionally, the bill repeals the Nutrient Work Group, which was responsible for advising on nutrient standards and their economic impacts, signaling a shift towards a less burdensome regulatory approach for municipal wastewater treatment systems.

Furthermore, the bill amends Section 75-5-103 of the Montana Code Annotated to update definitions related to water quality, including the removal of the Nutrient Work Group from the definitions. It also repeals Section 75-5-321, which pertains to the transition for nutrient standards, and specific administrative rules (ARM 17.30.660 and 17.30.1388) related to nutrient standards. These changes reflect a legislative intent to simplify the regulatory framework surrounding nutrient management in Montana's waters, focusing on narrative standards that may be more achievable and economically feasible for stakeholders. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 75-5-103
HB0664_1(1): 75-5-103
HB0664_1(10): 75-5-103
HB0664_1(11): 75-5-103
HB0664_1(12): 75-5-103
HB0664_1(2): 75-5-103
HB0664_1(3): 75-5-103
HB0664_1(4): 75-5-103
HB0664_1(5): 75-5-103
HB0664_1(6): 75-5-103
HB0664_1(7): 75-5-103
HB0664_1(8): 75-5-103
HB0664_1(9): 75-5-103
HB0664_1: 75-5-103
HB0664_X(1): 75-5-103
HB0664_X(2): 75-5-103
HB0664_X(3): 75-5-103
HB0664_X(4): 75-5-103
HB0664_X(5): 75-5-103
HB0664_X(6): 75-5-103
HB0664_X(7): 75-5-103
HB0664_X(8): 75-5-103
HB0664_X: 75-5-103