MontanaSB 31569th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET

Allocate funding for petroleum tank cleanup

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Cleanup plans: one set of rules

Beginning January 1, 2026, for cleanups expected over $100,000, the owner or operator, the department, and the board may meet to coordinate without a prior request. For cases under $100,000, they meet if someone asks. After the department approves a corrective action plan, that plan controls. Local or tribal governments and the board cannot require different cleanup steps.

Reimbursements for preventive tank upgrades

Beginning January 1, 2026, the Board reimburses preventive work at facilities that actively dispense petroleum. Eligible work includes removing inactive tanks, upgraded gauges, replacing single‑wall piping or tanks 20+ years old, inspections, and aging‑tank investigations. You may file only one claim per facility every 1,000 days, covering all eligible costs since the last state‑required inspection. The fund pays the smaller of your approved costs or $2,000 per facility for each 1,000‑day period. The Board sets rules, meets at least quarterly, reviews documents, notifies you of decisions, and pays approved claims from the cleanup fund.

New rules start 2026, budget changes

The law takes effect January 1, 2026. Certain administrative costs must now be paid only with a legislative appropriation, not automatically from the fund.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

John Esp
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Becky Edwards
Democrat • House
Janet Ellis
Democrat • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 292 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/29/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 96 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/26/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 98 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/3/2025