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MontanaHB 53469th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Allow county water and/or sewer districts to connect to a system beyond capacity

Sponsored By: Courtenay Sprunger (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Environmental ProtectionCountiesWaterHealthHousingLocal GovernmentRule Making

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Path to add water and sewer hookups

The law lets cities and eligible county water or sewer districts seek DEQ approval of a development plan to add service connections. DEQ sets the rules and reviews plans. Approval is allowed only if the plan shows no risk to health or the environment, no violation of state water laws or permits, and no use beyond the entity’s water rights. Added connections must stay within the system’s approved rated capacity shown in the plan, unless they serve a subdivision that is reviewed under subdivision law and gets DEQ certification before the final plat. Systems with an approved plan must send DEQ a yearly compliance report. DEQ can revoke or change an approval if conditions change or rules are broken, and violations can face penalties under 75-6-114.

Tighter rules for subdivision water and sewer

For subdivisions that rely on capacity approved in a development plan, local government must require the subdivider to finish water and sewer work before the final plat. The subdivider must provide a DEQ letter showing certification, as-builts received, and that the city or district complies with the plan. A certifying authority cannot approve “adequate facilities” under a development plan unless the division is under subdivision law and the governing body requires DEQ certification before the final plat. The law explains who can certify: a municipality or a county water/sewer district that meets DEQ eligibility; an eligible district is incorporated under 7-13-2203, follows Title 75 chapters 5 and 6, and employs or retains a professional engineer. It also treats county and municipal water/sewer districts as public utilities under subdivision law, which affects how they are reviewed.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Courtenay Sprunger

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Greg Hertz

    Republican • Senate

  • Llew Jones

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 289 • No: 6

Senate vote • 4/14/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 47 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/12/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 95 • No: 4

House vote • 3/3/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 98 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/13/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/8/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/1/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/1/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/29/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/15/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/14/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading

    4/14/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading

    4/12/2025Senate

  10. Committee Report

    4/1/2025Senate

  11. Committee Executive Action

    3/31/2025Senate

  12. Hearing

    3/20/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Committee

    3/5/2025Senate

  14. Transmitted to Senate

    3/4/2025House

  15. 3rd Reading

    3/4/2025House

  16. 2nd Reading

    3/3/2025House

  17. Committee Report

    2/26/2025House

  18. Committee Executive Action

    2/25/2025House

  19. Hearing

    2/24/2025House

  20. 1st Reading

    2/18/2025House

  21. Referred to Committee

    2/18/2025House

  22. Introduced

    2/18/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/14/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/18/2025

    PDF

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