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69th Legislature 2025 HB 923.1
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 923
1 HOUSE BILL NO. 923
2 INTRODUCED BY L. JONES, S. GIST, G. OBLANDER
3
4 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REVISING CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS FROM A
5 NONDEGRADATION AUTHORIZATION; DIRECTING THE AMENDMENT OF ARM 17.30.716; PROVIDING
6 AN APPROPRIATION; AND PROVIDING EFFECTIVE DATES.”
7
8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
9
10 NEW SECTION. Section 1. By January 1, 2026, the department of
11 environmental quality shall amend ARM 17.30.716 to provide for a categorical exclusion from a nondegradation
12 authorization provided in 75-5-317 if a county commission demonstrates to the department that the commission
13 has established an area where:
14 (1) drinking water wells are prohibited; and
15 (2) the absorption trench is at least 1,000 feet from downstream high-quality surface waters.
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17 NEW SECTION. Section 2. There is appropriated $10,000 from the general fund to
18 the department of environmental quality for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, to amend the department's
19 rules pursuant to [section 1] and provide guidance for a categorical exclusion from a nondegradation
20 authorization.
21
22 NEW SECTION. Section 3. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), [this act] is
23 effective on passage and approval.
24 (2) [Section 2] is effective July 1, 2025.
25 - END -