LC 1858 Legislature · 2025 Regular Session

Revise Montana lakeshore laws

This bill revises Montana's lakeshore protection laws to clarify definitions and strengthen enforcement for unauthorized work near lakes. It directly affects property owners, contractors, and local governments by establishing clearer rules for what constitutes a lake and lakeshore, requiring permits for construction activities, and allowing local authorities to issue stop-work orders. Key provisions include a 90-day timeline for permit decisions, the ability to require surety bonds to cover potential restoration costs, and new penalties that can include fines up to $10,000 for repeat offenders, jail time, and property liens for unpaid restoration costs. The bill also encourages cooperation between multiple governing bodies that share jurisdiction over the same lake.
Bill status introduced 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Nov 22, 2024 Last action Feb 10, 2025
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