75-2-104. Limitations -- personal cause of action unabridged -- venue. (1) This chapter may not be construed to:

(a) grant to the board any jurisdiction or authority with respect to air contamination existing solely within commercial and industrial plants, works, or shops;

(b) affect the relations between employers and employees with respect to or arising out of any condition of air contamination or air pollution;

(c) supersede or limit the applicability of any law or ordinance relating to sanitation, industrial health, or safety; or

(d) abridge, limit, impair, create, enlarge, or otherwise affect substantively or procedurally the right of a person to damages or other relief on account of injury to persons or property and to maintain an action or other appropriate proceeding.

(2) A judicial challenge to a permit issued pursuant to this chapter by a party other than the permit applicant or permitholder must include the party to whom the permit was issued unless otherwise agreed to by the permit applicant or permitholder. All judicial challenges of permits for projects with a project cost, as determined by the court, of more than $1 million must have precedence over any civil cause of a different nature pending in that court. If the court determines that the challenge was without merit or was for an improper purpose, such as to harass, to cause unnecessary delay, or to impose needless or increased cost in litigation, the court may award attorney fees and costs incurred in defending the action.

(3) An action to challenge a permit decision pursuant to this chapter must be brought in the county in which the permitted activity will occur. If an activity will occur in more than one county, the action may be brought in any of the counties in which the activity will occur.

(4) A judicial action or proceeding pursuant to this chapter for an equine slaughter or processing facility must comply with 81-9-240 and 81-9-241.

History: (1) thru (3)En. Sec. 19, Ch. 313, L. 1967; Sec. 69-3922, R.C.M. 1947; (4)En. Sec. 18, Ch. 313, L. 1967; amd. Sec. 24, Ch. 349, L. 1974; Sec. 69-3921, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 69-3921(4), 69-3922; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 361, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 337, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 416, L. 2009.