3-7-224. Jurisdiction of chief water judge. (1) The chief water judge may, at the discretion of the chief justice of the Montana supreme court, also serve as water judge for one of the water divisions.
     (2) The chief water judge has jurisdiction over cases certified to the district court under 85-2-309 and all matters relating to the determination of existing water rights within the boundaries of the state of Montana.
     (3) With regard to the consideration of a matter within the chief water judge's jurisdiction, the chief water judge has the same powers as a district court judge. The chief water judge may issue orders, on the motion of an interested party or on the judge's own motion, that may reasonably be required to allow the judge to fulfill the judge's responsibilities including, but not limited to, requiring the joinder of persons not parties to the administrative hearing being conducted by the department pursuant to 85-2-309 or 85-2-402 as considered necessary to resolve any factual or legal issue certified pursuant to 85-2-309(2).

     History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 442, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 596, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 187, Ch. 61, L. 2007.