85-7-1922. Regulation, supervision, apportionment, and control of water distribution. (1) In addition to all other powers granted them by the laws of Montana, boards of commissioners of all irrigation districts organized under any law of this state may regulate, supervise, apportion, and control the furnishing and delivery of water through the distribution system of the district. The authority to regulate, supervise, apportion, and control does not apply to users who have water rights or ditch rights, established, acquired by court decree, use, appropriation or otherwise, at the time or prior to the organization of the district, without regard to whether the distribution system or a portion of the system belongs to the district or to the owner of lands served by the district.
     (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of 85-7-1921 and the powers granted to the board of commissioners under subsection (1) of this section, the irrigation district is not required to:
     (a) construct, operate, or maintain internal delivery systems; or
     (b) divide irrigation water after the water is delivered to the established project delivery points.

     History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 63, L. 1935; re-en. Sec. 7207.2, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 89-1614; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 136, L. 1993.