Administrative Rule Review

The Montana DNRC is actively reviewing administrative rules that impact public use of state trust land. This review is occurring in phases in order to ensure clarity in process.

Phase 1 (2024 - complete): Alignment

Through the fall and winter of 2024, DNRC worked to remedy rules that conflicted with existing statute, and to align food storage requirements with other state lands and federal lands in Montana. A proposal notice was approved by the Montana Board of Land Commissioners (Land Board) at their August 19, 2024 meeting. DNRC scoped for public comment and for environmental impacts through October 4, 2024, and a public hearing was held on September 26, 2024. The Land Board approved the adoption notice at their January 21, 2025 meeting, and the amended rules were effective on February 7, 2025.

Phase 2 (2025): Renumber, Reorganize, and Simplify Language

Phase 2 will consider renumbering and organizing public use rules within their own section of the administrative rules, and simplifying language throughout. This rulemaking effort is to make the rules easier to find and understand. Phase 2 rulemaking will start with a Land Board vote on June 16, 2025 to proceed with the process. If the Land Board approves, a proposal notice will be filed with the Secretary of State, and the department will take public comment and host a hearing on the drafted rules. See side bar for details on important dates.

Phase 3 (2026): Simplify and Review for Relevancy

Phase 3 contemplates a broad look at opportunities to simplify language within the rules, and review for relevancy. Phase 3 rulemaking is anticipated to begin in late 2025 or early 2026 with stakeholder and public outreach.

To sign up as an interested party for public use rulemaking join our mailing list .