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MontanaHB 58069th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Clarify water right abandonment

Sponsored By: Joshua Seckinger (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Abandonment test waits for adjudication

For existing water rights still in the state’s adjudication process, the main abandonment rules do not apply yet. They start only after the right is finally determined under part 2.

Leasing water rights isn’t abandonment

The law says leasing your water right or using an approved temporary change is not abandonment. These actions also cannot be used as proof that you gave up any part of the right.

Drought cuts won’t forfeit water rights

The law protects your water right during drought. If your diversion or use is in a county at D1 (moderate) drought or worse and you follow a drought plan filed with the department, cutting back or stopping use alone does not show abandonment. The plan must name a clear trigger for voluntary cuts or shutoffs. If you use this drought rule, you must file the department’s form by December 30 of the same year.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joshua Seckinger

    Democrat • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 489 • No: 4

House vote • 4/16/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 97 • No: 1

House vote • 4/15/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/8/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 1

House vote • 3/7/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 98 • No: 1

House vote • 3/5/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 97 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/13/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/8/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/2/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/2/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/29/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/18/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/16/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/16/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/15/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/9/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading

    4/9/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading

    4/8/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report

    4/5/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action

    4/4/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    3/31/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Committee

    3/14/2025Senate

  17. 1st Reading

    3/14/2025Senate

  18. Transmitted to Senate

    3/7/2025House

  19. 3rd Reading

    3/7/2025House

  20. 2nd Reading

    3/5/2025House

  21. Committee Report

    2/27/2025House

  22. Committee Executive Action

    2/26/2025House

  23. Hearing

    2/21/2025House

  24. 1st Reading

    2/20/2025House

  25. Referred to Committee

    2/20/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/17/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    4/5/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    2/27/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/19/2025

    PDF

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