Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 82. MINERALS, OIL, AND GAS

CHAPTER 11. OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION

Part 1. Regulation by Board of Oil and Gas Conservation

Injunction Or Restraining Order

82-11-145. Injunction or restraining order. (1) A temporary restraining order or temporary injunction of any kind may not be granted against the board and its members or against the attorney general or against an employee of the board, restraining the board and its members or employees or the attorney general from enforcing this chapter or any rule or order made thereunder, until it is shown to the satisfaction of the court that the act done or threatened is probably without sanction of the law or that the provisions of this chapter or the rule or order complained of is probably invalid or unreasonable and that, if enforced against the complaining party, will probably cause an irreparable injury.

(2) With respect to an order or decree granting temporary injunctive relief, the nature and extent of the probable invalidity of the statute or of any provision of this chapter or of a rule or order thereunder involved in the suit must be recited in the order or decree granting the temporary relief, as well as a clear statement of the probable damage relied upon by the court as justifying temporary injunctive relief.

(3) A temporary restraining order or temporary injunction of any kind against the board or its members or its employees or the attorney general may not be effective until the plaintiff executes a bond with sufficient sureties in such amount and upon such conditions as the court directs. The bond shall be made payable to the state of Montana, shall be approved by the judge of the court, and shall be for the use and benefit of all persons who may be injured by the acts done under the protection of the temporary restraining order or temporary injunction. A person claiming injury must bring suit within 6 months after the date of the final determination of the validity in whole or in part of the provisions of the chapter or the rule or order, the enforcement of which was enjoined; otherwise the right to bring such suit is forever barred.

History: En. Sec. 12, Ch. 238, L. 1953; amd. Sec. 74, Ch. 253, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 60-135(2), (3).