Extend perfection deadline for certain Missouri River water reservations

This bill extends the deadline for perfecting certain water reservations on the Missouri River above Fort Peck Dam, allowing applicants more time to finalize their water rights claims. It directly affects entities seeking state water reservations in Montana, including government agencies, political subdivisions, and the United States. The legislation amends existing state water laws to provide rulemaking authority for the Department of Natural Resources and clarifies application procedures for water reservations. Key provisions include requirements for applicants to demonstrate the purpose, need, and amount of water requested, along with public interest considerations, particularly for out-of-state water use. The bill also establishes that applicants must cover certain administrative costs associated with processing their water reservation applications.