Interim study on Montana water quality

2025 Regular Session

LC 4345 would establish an interim study on Montana water quality; it died in draft, so no immediate changes for agencies, utilities, farms, tribes, or residents.

(LC) Draft Died in Process

#legislature #interimstudies #water

Overview

Bill Number: LC 4345

Title: Interim study on Montana water quality

Subject: Legislature, Interim Studies, Water

Introduced: January 21, 2025

Status: Draft Died in Process (LC)

Legislative Actions:

2025-01-21: Drafter Assigned
2025-05-27: Draft Died in Process

LC 4345 proposed an interim study focused on Montana’s water quality. An interim study is a temporary, legislative inquiry designed to examine an issue between sessions and report back with findings and recommendations. The bill did not advance beyond the drafting stage and ultimately died in process.

Purpose and Intent

The bill aimed to authorize or establish an interim study to assess Montana’s water quality.

While specific objectives are not provided in the available summary, typical goals for such studies include evaluating current water quality data, monitoring programs, regulatory standards, enforcement mechanisms, funding, and potential policy options for improvement.

Note: The exact scope, objectives, committee assignment, duration, and reporting requirements of the study are not specified in the provided information.

Key Provisions (What the bill would do)

Establish an interim study process related to water quality in Montana.

Designate a drafter (already completed on introduction date) and outline the mechanism for conducting the study and producing a report.

Specific details such as committee assignment, study scope, data collection methods, stakeholders to consult, timelines for the study, and reporting requirements are not included in the available data.

Who Would Be Affected

State agencies involved in water quality oversight and regulation (e.g., Montana’s environmental and natural resources agencies).

Local governments, water utilities, agricultural and industrial users, and other stakeholders tied to water resources and quality.

Tribal governments and communities with water-related interests in Montana (as applicable to state-federal-tribal interactions).

Montana residents who rely on water resources for drinking, recreation, agriculture, and industry.

Timeline and Procedural Considerations

Introduced January 21, 2025, with a drafter assigned at the same time.

The bill’s status indicates it never progressed beyond drafting and was subsequently recorded as “Draft Died in Process” on May 27, 2025.

As a died-in-process measure, there would be no enacted changes or mandated study obligations unless revived in a future session.

Potential Impact and Next Steps

If revived or reintroduced, LC 4345 could initiate a formal, legislatively led examination of water quality issues, potentially informing future policy, regulatory adjustments, or funding decisions.

Given its status, there are no immediate statutory changes to water quality or related programs stemming from this bill.

Readers interested in Montana water quality policy may monitor for subsequent interim study proposals or legislative actions addressing similar topics.

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