MT SB178

Creates a streamlined process for temporary water right leases, exempting them from standard change-in-appropriation-right procedures, with leases limited to 40 days per year and no more than 5 years within any 10-year period

Requires the appropriation right to have been used within 5 years prior to application, limits leased water to the total consumptive use (maximum 2 acre-feet per acre for irrigation), and prohibits changing the point of diversion

Establishes a 30-day department review process with 10-day notice to potentially affected appropriators, followed by a 30-day objection period where valid objections suspend the lease authorization pending a hearing

Mandates water metering at the point of diversion with annual reporting, and requires applicants to demonstrate no adverse effect on other water rights holders

Expands the definition of "beneficial use" in Montana water law to include temporary leases, and clarifies that temporary leases do not constitute abandonment of water rights