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MontanaHB 73669th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Provide nutrient pollutant loading offsets

Sponsored By: Steve Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Environmental ProtectionWaterRule Making

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Nutrient offsets for permit holders

The law lets point-source permit holders use nutrient offsets or trading credits to meet permit limits and waste load allocations. Offsets count only when total nutrients drop within the same USGS 12‑digit watershed subbasin. An immediately adjacent subbasin can count when the project is very close. Reductions may come from other point sources or from nonpoint projects in that subbasin. Cuts must be measured with DEQ methods or site data that DEQ accepts. Credit values are 100% for point‑source cuts, 80% for up‑gradient nonpoint cuts, and 50% for down‑gradient nonpoint cuts.

Standard methods to measure nutrient cuts

DEQ sets statewide methods to count nutrient cuts from nonpoint projects. Methods use simple units like feet of fenced streambank, acres of new riparian plants, acres of wetlands in irrigation return areas, and the number and size of septic systems removed. Applicants may propose other science-based projects or models that DEQ reviews. DEQ uses its methods unless clear and convincing evidence shows the estimate is far off.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Steve Fitzpatrick

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 375 • No: 122

House vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 69 • No: 30

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 59 • No: 41

Senate vote • 4/12/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 45 • No: 5

Senate vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 38 • No: 12

House vote • 3/7/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 82 • No: 17

House vote • 3/5/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 82 • No: 17

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

    4/21/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/18/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/18/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/17/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/12/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading

    4/12/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading

    4/11/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report

    4/8/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action

    4/7/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    3/27/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Committee

    3/18/2025Senate

  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

    3/3/2025House

  22. Fiscal Note Printed

    3/3/2025House

  23. Fiscal Note Unsigned

    3/3/2025House

  24. Fiscal Note Received

    3/3/2025House

  25. Committee Executive Action

    3/3/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/21/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    4/8/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/25/2025

    PDF

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