reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MT Code § 85-7-1924 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1924. Interference with commissioners or distribution system -- penalty

  85-7-1924. Interference with commissioners or distribution system -- penalty. A person who in any manner interferes with the commissioners of an irrigation district or their lawful agent or employee in the carrying out of the powers conferred by 85-7-1921 through 85-7-1925 or who changes or tampers with any lock box, headgate, or other device for the apportionment or distribution of water installed by or under the authority of the commissioners or who in any manner obstructs or changes the flow of water in the distribution system of any irrigation district without authority of the commissioners of the district is, in the discretion of the commissioners, subject to a forfeiture of the person's right to the delivery of water through the distribution system of the district as long as the acts continue and is guilty of obstructing a public officer or criminal mischief, as appropriate, and is punishable as provided by 45-6-101 or 45-7-302, as applicable.   History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 63, L. 1935; re-en. Sec. 7207.4, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 24, Ch. 460, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 89-1616; amd. Sec. 2793, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
MT Code § 85-7-1925 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1925. Installing and assessing costs of distributing or measuring devices

  85-7-1925. Installing and assessing costs of distributing or measuring devices. Whenever, in the judgment of the commissioners of any irrigation district, it is necessary for the proper measurement, distribution, or apportionment of the water of the district to install lock boxes, headgates, or other devices for the distribution of water at the point where any lateral is taken out of a main ditch or canal or at a point where any sublateral is taken out of a lateral for further division or distribution of water, they shall have the authority to procure and install the same and to assess the cost thereof against the lands affected thereby.   History: En. Sec. 5, Ch. 63, L. 1935; re-en. Sec. 7207.5, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 89-1617.
MT Code § 85-7-1926 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1926. through 85-7-1930 reserved

  85-7-1926 through 85-7-1930 reserved.
MT Code § 85-7-1931 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1931. Use of water for irrigation a public use

  85-7-1931. Use of water for irrigation a public use. (1) The use of all water required for the irrigation of the land of any district formed under the provisions of part 1, together with the rights-of-way for canals and ditches, sites for reservoirs, and all property required in fully carrying out the provisions of this chapter, is hereby declared to be a public use, subject to the regulations and control of the state in the manner prescribed by law.   (2) All water, the right to the use of which is acquired by the district under any contract with the United States, shall be distributed and apportioned by the district in accordance with the acts of congress, the rules and regulations of the secretary of the interior, and the provisions of said contract in relation thereto.   History: En. Sec. 31, Ch. 146, L. 1909; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 145, L. 1915; re-en. Sec. 7201, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 7201, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 89-1606.
MT Code § 85-7-1932 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1932. Noninterference with navigation or water rights

  85-7-1932. Noninterference with navigation or water rights. Navigation may not be impeded by the operation of this chapter. A vested interest in or to any mining or agricultural water rights or ditches or in or to any water rights, reservoirs, or dams now used beneficially in connection with any mining or agricultural industry or by persons purchasing or renting the use of the interest or in or to any other property used, directly or indirectly, in carrying on or in promoting the mining or agricultural industry may not be affected by or taken under this chapter, except that rights-of-way may be acquired over the mining or agricultural property or interest. The right of eminent domain, as provided in Title 70, chapter 30, is not otherwise affected by the provisions of this section.   History: En. Sec. 27, Ch. 146, L. 1909; re-en. Sec. 7197, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 7197, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 89-1602; amd. Sec. 107, Ch. 125, L. 2001.
MT Code § 85-7-1933 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1933. Diversion of waters

  85-7-1933. Diversion of waters. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the diversion of the waters of any river, creek, stream, canal, or ditch from its channel to the detriment of any person or persons having an interest in such river, creek, stream, canal, ditch, or the waters therein.   History: En. Sec. 28, Ch. 146, L. 1909; re-en. Sec. 7198, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 7198, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 89-1603.
MT Code § 85-7-1934 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1934. Lands under irrigation -- inclusion in district

  85-7-1934. Lands under irrigation -- inclusion in district. (1) Any land already under irrigation from any source may be included in any irrigation district, either at the time of the organization of such district or at any time thereafter, and such land shall be entitled to receive and shall be given the same amount of water necessarily used thereon at the time of such inclusion. The canals, ditches, flumes, dams, or other works previously used to irrigate such land may be used or supplanted either wholly or in part by the district works. The owner of such land, canals, ditches, flumes, dams, or other works shall be entitled to compensation for any and all damage sustained by reason of the appropriation of the same or by the construction of said district works.   (2) Lands already under irrigation, lands having water rights appurtenant thereto, or lands which can be irrigated from sources more feasible than the district system shall not be included within such district unless the owner of such lands shall consent in writing to have such lands included in said district.   (3) Districts formed to cooperate with the United States may extend their boundaries to include such lands upon petition of the owners of two-thirds only of the acreage of the lands to be included, and the boundaries shall be susceptible of change as provided in 85-7-1808 through 85-7-1811 and 85-7-1841 through 85-7-1845.   (4) All lands having water rights appurtenant thereto which are served by a system of irrigation works supplying more than 10,000 acres of land may, in the discretion of the court, be included in the proposed district, on petition of at least a majority both in number and acreage of the holders of title or evidence of title to the land having water rights appurtenant thereto and served by the same system of irrigation works.   History: En. Sec. 35, Ch. 146, L. 1909; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 153, L. 1917; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 116, L. 1919; re-en. Sec. 7205, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 7205, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 89-1610.
MT Code § 85-7-1935 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1935. Lands under irrigation -- limits on charges for costs

  85-7-1935. Lands under irrigation -- limits on charges for costs. Where lands already under irrigation are included in any district, the water and irrigation works irrigating the same belonging to the owner of said lands, such lands shall not be charged with any tax or assessment for construction or for payment of the interest or principal of any bonds issued to secure money for construction or purchase of the district irrigation works or for any payments other than for operation and maintenance due or to become due under any contract between the district and the United States, accompanying which bonds of the district have not been deposited with the United States as provided in 85-7-1906, except with the consent of the owner thereof, which consent shall be filed with the recorder of deeds of the county in which such lands are situated. Such lands shall be assessed for administrative and maintenance purposes the same as other lands in the district.   History: En. Sec. 37, Ch. 146, L. 1909; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 145, L. 1915; re-en. Sec. 7207, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 7207, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 89-1612.
MT Code § 85-7-1936 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1936. through 85-7-1940 reserved

  85-7-1936 through 85-7-1940 reserved.
MT Code § 85-7-1941 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1941. Contracts

  85-7-1941. Contracts. (1) The construction by the district of irrigation works may be done by the district, by private owners, or by contract.   (2) Before any contract is let, the board of commissioners shall provide surveys, plans, maps, and estimates, which shall include everything necessary to show the entire cost in detail of everything necessary to complete the work required to irrigate any of the lands in the district under the proposed system.   (3) Notice of any contract to be awarded for the construction of such works shall state where the plans and specifications may be seen and shall be published at least once a week for 3 successive calendar weeks in a newspaper published or of general circulation in the county where the office of the district is located. Sealed bids shall be called for in such published notice, and bids shall be opened in public.   History: En. Sec. 25, Ch. 146, L. 1909; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 145, L. 1915; re-en. Sec. 7195, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 7195, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 89-1501(part); amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 112, L. 1981.
MT Code § 85-7-1942 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1942. Competitive bidding

  85-7-1942. Competitive bidding. The contract shall be awarded only to the lowest responsible bidder, who shall be required to give bond for the faithful performance and completion of the contract. The board shall have the right to reject any and all bids in its discretion.   History: En. Sec. 25, Ch. 146, L. 1909; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 145, L. 1915; re-en. Sec. 7195, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 7195, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 89-1501(part).
MT Code § 85-7-1943 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1943. Exceptions for certain projects

  85-7-1943. Exceptions for certain projects. The provisions of 85-7-1941 and 85-7-1942 shall not apply to:   (1) any contract for the completion of works in course of construction by private owners, from whom said works may be acquired under the provisions of 85-7-1904 or 85-7-1905;   (2) any contract between the district and the United States.   History: En. Sec. 25, Ch. 146, L. 1909; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 145, L. 1915; re-en. Sec. 7195, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 7195, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 89-1501(part).
MT Code § 85-7-1944 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1944. through 85-7-1950 reserved

  85-7-1944 through 85-7-1950 reserved.
MT Code § 85-7-1951 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1951. United States contracts -- loans, sinking fund, and investment

  85-7-1951. United States contracts -- loans, sinking fund, and investment. The board of commissioners of any irrigation district established and organized under and by virtue of the laws of Montana, whenever deemed advisable and to the interest of the district, shall have the power and authority to enter into any obligation or contract with the United States under any act of congress and the rules and regulations established thereunder, providing for or permitting such obligation or contract, for the purpose of obtaining from the United States a loan of money to be used by the district for the liquidation of bonded or other outstanding indebtedness of the district or for doing or causing to be done, under the supervision of the secretary of the interior of the United States, any construction, betterments, or repair work necessary to place the irrigation system of the district in good operating condition. The board shall also have the power and authority to create, by proper levy and collection of assessments, a sinking fund which shall be available for the construction of betterments to the irrigation system of the district, as may become necessary during the term of any contract made hereunder. Said sinking fund for said purpose, which shall be designated the ".... District Sinking Fund for Betterments", shall be in such an amount and shall be created within such time as may be agreed upon between the district and the United States. The board shall also have the power and authority to invest any surplus in the sinking fund herein provided for in legal investments backed, insured, or guaranteed by the United States or the state of Montana, including federal and state agency obligations.   History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 24, L. 1931; re-en. Sec. 7264.10, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 89-2120; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 166, L. 1987.
MT Code § 85-7-1952 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1952. United States contracts -- assessments

  85-7-1952. United States contracts -- assessments. In any contract entered into between an irrigation district and the United States hereunder, the board of commissioners shall have the power to levy assessments for the United States contract fund against all of the land within the district for any and all of the purposes enumerated in the laws of Montana and, in addition thereto, the power to levy assessments in compliance with such contract, including such deficiency assessments as will enable the district to meet established or estimated delinquencies in making payments to the United States because of the failure of landowners to pay the assessments levied against their lands in the district.   History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 24, L. 1931; re-en. Sec. 7264.11, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 89-2121.
MT Code § 85-7-1953 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1953. Amount owed United States -- lien and special tax

  85-7-1953. Amount owed United States -- lien and special tax. All amounts to be paid to the United States under any contract made pursuant to this part between the district and the United States are a general obligation of the district, and the amounts to be paid to the United States are a lien upon the irrigation system of the district. All lands within the district or added to the district must be subject to a special tax or assessment authorized under 85-7-2104 for the payment of all amounts to be paid to the United States under the contract between the district and the United States. The special tax or assessment constitutes a first and prior lien on the land against which the tax or assessment is levied to the same extent and with like force and effect as taxes levied for state and county purposes.   History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 24, L. 1931; re-en. Sec. 7264.12, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 83, L. 1955; R.C.M. 1947, 89-2122; amd. Sec. 154, Ch. 584, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 93, L. 2007.
MT Code § 85-7-1954 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1954. Assumption of operations by United States upon default

  85-7-1954. Assumption of operations by United States upon default. In addition to other legal remedies, the board of commissioners of the district shall have the power and authority to provide in any contract executed between the United States and the district hereunder that in case of default for more than 12 months in the payment of any installments due under such contract, the control, operation, and maintenance of the district may, in the discretion of the secretary of the interior, be assumed by the United States and the delivery of water withheld until payments are duly made in accordance with the contract requirements.   History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 24, L. 1931; re-en. Sec. 7264.13, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 89-2123.
MT Code § 85-7-1955 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1955. Liquidation of indebtedness with federal funds

  85-7-1955. Liquidation of indebtedness with federal funds. When money is provided by the United States for liquidating bonded indebtedness of any irrigation district, the county treasurer is authorized and empowered to cancel the district bonds so liquidated and surrender them to the United States, taking therefor a receipt signed by the secretary of the interior, which receipt shall be placed in the records of the county treasurer and shall be conclusive evidence of the cancellation and surrender of the district bonds.   History: En. Sec. 5, Ch. 24, L. 1931; re-en. Sec. 7264.14, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 89-2124.
MT Code § 85-7-1956 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1956. Majority vote or petition necessary to contract with United States

  85-7-1956. Majority vote or petition necessary to contract with United States. No contract shall be made with the United States hereunder except upon approval of a majority of those voting on the question at an election conducted pursuant to 85-7-1710, provided that the voting majority must own at least 50% of the acreage included within the district, or upon a petition signed by at least 60% in number and acreage of the holders of title or evidence of title to the lands included within the district. Such petition shall be addressed to the board of commissioners, shall set forth the aggregate amount of money to be borrowed from the United States and the purpose or purposes thereof, shall have attached thereto an affidavit certifying the signatures to said petition, and shall be filed with the secretary of the board of commissioners. Such petition may consist of one or more parts or papers.   History: En. Sec. 6, Ch. 24, L. 1931; re-en. Sec. 7264.15, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 89-2125; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 463, L. 1983.
MT Code § 85-7-1957 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1957. United States contracts -- court approval required

  85-7-1957. United States contracts -- court approval required. (1) The board of commissioners of any irrigation district, before the making of any contract with the United States hereunder, shall commence a special proceeding in the district court of the state, by which the proceedings of the board and of the district leading up to the making of any such contract and the validity of the terms thereof shall be judicially examined and approved and affirmed or disapproved and disaffirmed.   (2) The practice and procedure for the confirmation of any step or action, as provided in subsection (1) shall be as nearly as possible in conformity with the practice and procedure now provided for the confirmation before the issuance and sale of bonds of an irrigation district. The court may approve and affirm such proceedings in part and disapprove and declare illegal or invalid other and subsequent parts of the proceedings, and insofar as possible, the court shall remedy and cure all defects in said proceedings.   History: (1)En. Sec. 7, Ch. 24, L. 1931; re-en. Sec. 7264.16, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 39, Ch. 460, L. 1977; Sec. 89-2126, R.C.M. 1947; (2)En. Sec. 8, Ch. 24, L. 1931; re-en. Sec. 7264.17, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 89-2127, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 89-2126, 89-2127.
MT Code § 85-7-1958 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1958. Power to contract with United States cumulative

  85-7-1958. Power to contract with United States cumulative. Sections 85-7-1951 through 85-7-1958 shall not limit the power and authority of an irrigation district or the commissioners thereof to contract with the United States under other applicable statutes but shall be cumulative thereto.   History: En. Sec. 9, Ch. 24, L. 1931; re-en. Sec. 7264.18, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 89-2128.
MT Code § 85-7-1959 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1959. and 85-7-1960 reserved

  85-7-1959 and 85-7-1960 reserved.
MT Code § 85-7-1961 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1961. Districts organized prior to certain date -- authority to continue electrical power operations

  85-7-1961. Districts organized prior to certain date -- authority to continue electrical power operations. (1) An irrigation district or project that was organized prior to March 30, 1981, under Title 85, chapter 7, is authorized to continue all electrical power operations it conducted prior to March 30, 1981.   (2) Electrical power operations authorized by subsection (1) of this section include generation, distribution, and sale of electrical power and the reasonable and necessary means to carry out such operations.   (3) In addition to the authority otherwise provided in this section and Title 85, chapter 7, irrigation districts or projects organized under Title 85, chapter 7, or described in 85-7-110, may construct, install, operate, and maintain facilities to generate, transmit, and sell, as well as any associated facilities necessary to that end, electricity using the water power potential of irrigation projects or works or federally owned water impoundment projects where electric power generation facilities have not heretofore been installed and licensed under the Federal Power Act.   History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 179, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 553, L. 1983.
MT Code § 85-7-1962 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 85. Water Use|Chapter 7. Irrigation Districts|Part 19. Operation of Districts|85-7-1962. through 85-7-1970 reserved

  85-7-1962 through 85-7-1970 reserved.