MT HB580

Amends Montana Code 85-2-404 to protect water rights holders from abandonment claims when they reduce or cease water use during drought conditions in counties designated D1 (moderate drought) or worse by the United States Drought Monitor

Requires reduced water use during drought to be made in compliance with a local, regional, or state drought plan filed with the department that specifies criteria for voluntary reduction or cessation of diversions

Mandates water right owners who reduce or cease use under drought provisions file a report with the department by December 30 of the year the reduction occurred

Maintains existing protections for nonuse during participation in conservation agreements under 50 CFR 17.32 or state/federal conservation set-aside programs, which cannot trigger the 10-year abandonment presumption