Environment (Water Quality)

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 684: Eliminate deadline for water quality data review

HB 684 eliminates a specific deadline that previously required the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to review data used for water quality assessments. This bill amends Section 75-5-702, MCA, removing the requirement for the DEQ to complete these data reviews within a set timeframe. This change primarily affects the DEQ's operational procedures for monitoring state waters and assessing their quality, as well as individuals and entities who submit water quality data for review.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentEliminates mandatory deadline for DEQ water quality data reviews, weakening oversight and environmental accountability procedures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 460: Generally revise gravel pit laws

SB 460 would have required Montana's Department of Environmental Quality to ensure protection of surface and groundwater from open-cut mining operations. The bill amended state law to specifically mandate the department adopt rules for permits, records, and inspections, and to enforce water quality and quantity standards during mining activities. This would directly affect open-cut mining operations statewide by imposing new regulatory requirements on their water protection measures. The bill did not advance beyond committee and died in the 2025 legislative session.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates DEQ to enforce water quality standards for mining, requiring new rules to protect groundwater/surface water from open-cut mining operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 29, 2025

LC 1155: Revise categorical exclusions from nondegradation authorization

This Montana bill (LC 1155) requires the Department of Environmental Quality to amend a rule by January 2026, creating a new pathway for counties to exclude certain land uses from water quality review. Specifically, counties must demonstrate two conditions: (1) no drinking water wells in the area, and (2) absorption trenches (e.g., septic systems) located at least 1,000 feet from high-quality surface waters. The bill appropriates $10,000 from the general fund to support this rule change and provides guidance for the exclusion process. It takes effect upon passage, with the funding provision starting July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentCreates exemptions from water quality reviews for counties meeting minimal conditions, weakening regulatory oversight of land uses near water sources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 1373: Provide removal of structures in streambeds

This bill requires property owners or entities with structures (like dams or bridges) in natural, perennial streams to either remove them within one year after stopping use or pay a $5,000 fee plus provide a bond covering removal and stream restoration costs. It directly affects anyone maintaining structures in Montana's streams, including landowners, developers, or businesses. The key mechanism sets a clear deadline for removal or mandates financial security ($5,000 fee + bond) to ensure stream restoration. The law defines "stream" as natural, perennial waterways, their beds, and immediate banks, and directs its implementation under Montana's existing water code.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates removal of stream structures or financial security for restoration, directly protecting waterways and environmental health per Environmental Protection subject.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 3522: Generally revise water quality standards

LC 3522, titled "Generally revise water quality standards," was a bill intended to update state regulations governing clean water levels in rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. It would have directly affected water quality regulators, industrial facilities, and wastewater treatment plants by changing the specific pollution limits they must meet. The bill's key mechanism involved revising numerical thresholds for contaminants like nutrients and chemicals to align with updated scientific research. However, the bill died in process on May 23, 2025, and never became law, so no policy changes were implemented.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill revises water quality standards using updated scientific research to strengthen pollution limits, directly advancing environmental protection and water conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Recycling Water Quality

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 1855: Generally revise water quality standards laws

This bill (LC 1855) aimed to update state water quality standards laws but was never enacted. It would have revised rules governing pollutants in waterways, directly affecting water regulators, industries discharging wastewater, and communities relying on clean water sources. The proposed changes included modernizing testing methods and setting updated limits for contaminants. However, the draft was placed on hold and ultimately died in the legislative process on May 27, 2025, meaning no policy changes were implemented.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill aimed to modernize water quality standards, update pollutant limits, and strengthen testing methods, directly advancing environmental protection for water resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 2611: Establish criteria for renewable resource grants and loans

This bill (LC 2611) intended to establish specific criteria for awarding state grants and loans to support renewable energy projects. It would have directly affected renewable energy developers and applicants seeking state funding by defining eligibility requirements and application processes. However, the bill was assigned to a drafter in December 2024, placed on hold, and ultimately died in the legislative process on May 27, 2025, without becoming law. Therefore, no criteria were ever implemented.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill intended to establish state grant/loan criteria for renewable energy projects, directly allocating public funds through budgetary mechanisms per its summary.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly aimed to establish criteria for state grants/loans supporting renewable energy projects, directly aligning with funding and advancing renewable energy infrastructure indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes criteria for state grants/loans to fund renewable energy projects, directly promoting clean energy development as an environmental protection measure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Recycling Water Quality

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passed both · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HJ 44: Interim study of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and water quality

This joint resolution requests an interim study on endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and their impact on water quality in Montana. The study, to be conducted by a legislative committee or staff, will review existing state and federal water quality laws and analyze research on the health effects of EDCs. It also aims to determine the prevalence of these chemicals in Montana. The study will offer recommendations for future legislative or regulatory changes, with final results reported to the 70th Legislature by September 15, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill initiates study on EDCs in water to inform regulatory improvements, aligning with environmental protection goals through research and potential policy changes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 736: Provide nutrient pollutant loading offsets

HB 736 establishes a system for nutrient pollutant loading offsets for facilities holding water quality discharge permits. It allows these permitted dischargers to meet their nutrient discharge limits by reducing nutrient pollution from other sources within the same watershed, including both direct discharge points and diffuse sources. The bill specifies varying offset percentages based on the type and location of the pollution reduction. It directs the state's environmental department to establish statewide offset values for various nonpoint pollution reduction projects, such as riparian fencing or wetlands development, and to amend existing policies to implement these provisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes system enabling nutrient pollution reduction via offsets, directly targeting water quality protection and pollution control within watersheds.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 664: Repeal numeric nutrient standards

This bill revises Montana's water quality standards by repealing the existing numeric nutrient standards. It directs the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to remove all references to these standards from administrative rules and repeal the specific circular (DEQ-12A) that established them. The bill aims to address the previous standards, which were described as unachievable and burdensome for entities like Montana's municipal wastewater treatment systems. Additionally, it requires the DEQ to update related guidance and policies and eliminates the Nutrient Work Group.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals numeric nutrient standards for water quality, removing regulatory limits on pollutants. Described as 'unachievable and burdensome,' indicating intent to weaken environmental protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality