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MontanaHB 35569th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Clarifying that easement rights retained when canal or ditch converted to pipeline

Sponsored By: Ken Walsh (Republican)

Became Law

PropertyWater

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Water easement rights protected after pipeline conversion

The law keeps your right to enter, inspect, repair, and operate a canal or ditch if you hold that easement. These rights stay in place when it is replaced with a pipeline, if the pipeline is clearly marked. Others may not build on, block, or harm the easement or the converted pipeline unless you give written consent. The law covers easements gained by long use or by transfer. It does not create new secondary rights that did not exist before April 14, 1981, and it does not change deals made before that date. If you enforce these rules in court and win, you can recover your costs and reasonable attorney fees.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ken Walsh

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Willis Curdy

    Democrat • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 290 • No: 6

House vote • 4/14/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 47 • No: 1

House vote • 4/12/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 1

House vote • 2/19/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 98 • No: 2

House vote • 2/18/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 97 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/14/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/5/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/25/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    4/25/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/23/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/16/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/14/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/14/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading Concurred

    4/12/2025Senate

  10. 2nd Reading Pass Consideration

    4/11/2025Senate

  11. Committee Report--Bill Concurred

    4/10/2025Senate

  12. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred

    4/9/2025Senate

  13. Hearing

    4/2/2025Senate

  14. Referred to Committee

    3/1/2025Senate

  15. First Reading

    2/20/2025Senate

  16. Transmitted to Senate

    2/19/2025House

  17. 3rd Reading Passed

    2/19/2025House

  18. 2nd Reading Passed

    2/18/2025House

  19. Committee Report--Bill Passed

    2/13/2025House

  20. Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed

    2/12/2025House

  21. Hearing

    2/6/2025House

  22. First Reading

    1/31/2025House

  23. Referred to Committee

    1/31/2025House

  24. Introduced

    1/30/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/30/2025

    PDF

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