Generally revise laws relating to exempt wells

SB 436 revises Montana water law definitions to clarify how groundwater rights are managed, primarily affecting well owners and agencies like the Department of Natural Resources. The bill defines "combined appropriation" as multiple groundwater developments from the same aquifer that could have been handled as a single right, clarifying that these don’t require physical connection or simultaneous development. It also updates definitions for "aquifer recharge" and "aquifer storage and recovery" to specify water management practices. These changes aim to streamline permitting and management for groundwater users without altering existing permit requirements. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.