All Roll Calls
Yes: 293 • No: 4
MontanaSB 7669th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate
Revise laws related to preliminary determinations for water right permits or changes in appropriations
Sponsored By: Sue Vinton (Republican)
Signed by Governor
PropertyWater
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
2031 water-right notice and objection rules
Beginning July 1, 2031, for correct and complete applications received on or after that date, the Department issues a written preliminary determination within 120 days. It may meet informally with the applicant and may include conditions. If it plans to grant, it must publish a notice once in a local newspaper and mail notice to affected appropriators, purchasers under contract for deed, and agencies with reserved water. The notice sets a written objection deadline at least 15 days and no more than 60 days after publication. If it plans to deny, the Department uses the state hearing process.
Faster water-right reviews and comment rules
The Department posts each application on its website and updates it when complete. After a correct and complete filing, it issues a draft in 60 days if you had a preapplication meeting and its analyses are done. If not, it issues the draft in 120 days. You have 15 business days after the draft to ask for more time to submit information. The Department can grant up to 180 extra days and must give you the new deadline in writing. If you add information or get an extension, the Department issues an updated draft within 60 days of the extension deadline or your notice that your information is complete. If you do not ask for an extension in 15 business days, the Department issues a preliminary denial and holds a hearing. For grants or modified grants, the Department gives public notice and lets affected people file comments for up to 30 days on a Department form. The notice runs once in the local newspaper and is posted online. Only people whose property, water rights, or interests could be harmed may comment. Within 30 days after comments close, the Department answers comments and issues a preliminary grant, modified grant, or denial. A denial goes to a hearing. A grant can face objections under state law. If no comments come in, the preliminary decision becomes final. This law takes effect immediately.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Sue Vinton
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Russ Miner
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/18/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 98 • No: 1
House vote • 2/14/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 99 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/20/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 48 • No: 1
Senate vote • 1/17/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 48 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
2/27/2025SenateSigned by Governor
2/27/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor
2/21/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
2/20/2025HouseSigned by President
2/20/2025SenateReturned from Enrolling
2/20/2025SenateSent to Enrolling
2/18/2025Senate3rd Reading
2/18/2025House2nd Reading
2/14/2025HouseCommittee Report
2/4/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action
2/3/2025HouseHearing
1/31/2025House1st Reading
1/21/2025HouseReferred to Committee
1/21/2025HouseTransmitted to House
1/21/2025Senate3rd Reading
1/20/2025Senate2nd Reading
1/17/2025SenateCommittee Report
1/16/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action
1/15/2025SenateHearing
1/10/2025SenateReferred to Committee
1/7/2025Senate1st Reading
1/6/2025SenateIntroduced
12/27/2024Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/14/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
2/19/2025
Introduced
12/27/2024