b'State ReportMONTANA Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association ReportMONTANA MESSAGEWe have just enjoyed another wonderful Montana summer with mild weather and very little of the wildfire smoke of recent years. Workthis summer has included working with state administration in the aftermath of the completion of our 2025 legislative session. The interim committees have be-gun, which we will continue to monitor and participate in. This fall will see our delegation attend NACs and EMA in Chicago. Brad LongcakeFor this issue, I wanted to take a deeper look into one of the bills that MPMCSA MPMCSA Executive Director successfully ran this year and how it will impact our members.Montana Senate Bill 315, sponsored by Senator John Esp and signed into law in April 2025,introduces a forward-looking framework for proactive maintenance associated with petroleum storage tanks. The legislation expands the scope of the Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Fund and establishes new procedures for reimbursing owners and operators of petroleum facilities who take preventive actions toavoid tank releases.Under the new law, facility owners may be reimbursed up to $2,000 every 1,000 days for a range of eligible activities. These include removing inactive tanks, upgrading tank gauges, replacing single-walled piping and tanks, conducting tank removal investigations for aging infrastructure, and performing preventative inspections. The Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Board is tasked with reviewing and approving reimbursement claims, and the bill clarifies the boards rulemaking authority to ensure consistent oversight.Importantly, SB 315 modifies existing statutes to formally include thesereimbursement procedures and adjusts how the cleanup fund may be used.One notable change is the shift from mandatory to discretionary meetingsregarding tank releases totaling over $100,000 dollars, depending on theanticipated cost of the releasestreamlining administrative processeswhile maintaining accountability.Set to take effect on January 1, 2026, the bill reflects MPMCSAs commitment to proactive management and collaboration with legislators and state agencies. For petroleum tank owners, the bill presents a timely opportunity to prepare for compliance and take advantage of financial support. Owners should begin by confirming their facilitys eligibility under the new guidelines, particularly ensuring that it is actively dispensing. They are encouraged to assess which preventive actions may be necessary and to maintain thorough documentation of all work performed, including invoices and inspection reports. Timing is also critical, as reimbursement eligibility is tied to the interval between state-required compliance inspections. Once the new provisions take effect, owners will need to submit claims in accordance with procedures established by the board, which will be finalized through upcoming rulemaking. By taking these steps, petroleum facility owners can reduce long-term liability, contribute to environmental safety, and benefit from the financial incentives provided by Senate Bill 315.Brad Longcake, Executive Director Montana Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store AssociationS38 www.wpma.com / Fall 2025'