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Senate rejects bill to revise groundwater permitting, later postpones it indefinitely
Summary
Senate Bill 358, a far-reaching proposal to revise groundwater permitting, monitoring and designation rules, failed on second reading 14-36 and was later indefinitely postponed by a separate motion (35-15). The bill prompted extended debate over water rights, monitoring and state authority.
The Montana Senate failed on second reading to advance Senate Bill 358, a multifaceted bill that would have revised groundwater laws including permitting exceptions, monitoring requirements and the designation of controlled groundwater areas.
Senator Ryan Galt, sponsor of SB 358, opened the floor discussion by saying the bill reflects months of work and a need to address over-appropriation in parts of the state. "Status quo is gone," Galt said, urging senators to look forward and to allow studies and legislative input to continue.
Opponents raised a range of concerns. Senator Kirby, citing regional water accounting, described…
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