[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6608136,"mediaKeyId","2941166-3742407cbbf560929242ed5507138fa5","parentId",2941166,"title","Assembly committee hears wide-ranging proposals to change state water-rights permitting process","audioSeconds",3339,"startMs",836775,"endMs",4176750,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941166-3742407cbbf560929242ed5507138fa5&start=836&end=4176","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941166-3742407cbbf560929242ed5507138fa5/thumbnail_836775.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6608136/Nevada/Assembly-committee-hears-wide-ranging-proposals-to-change-state-water-rights-permitting-process","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608136-1ab3159e0515ae8c71564d37e9845b2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770647399&Signature=aO4G4aR7SN-4nCGEbuw-ZhAiUccRWHQ9xr9uYZud6LhjvJA4Z1M8ztYhnIseNRWvUWU2Rg4QwPmc8UuHBu2ukI-QbuUjb-9k3o1Kx75FwfpKHHUkLZR1alT7fzzfvJd8ssGWwS23LvSbGl5lNJotLZ8tHuuW7ToXWqBfOl5JN5jsfEmcEz-OU2Ok9ovgccSEHXUWpTiPzNUMnZ94rQKifbTIapG2DU-gR78eBhLr4zTFQhXnJpjtikD~kjiVHX0PSLkYjl2WUK0ZdPZkapcf1CF2n1RPOOcw2Xg6HNqia-kHRFp9~Is4uZv37P7qKXYsSIfLo9t8hluCDjZ8gDoSyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nevada Legislature","date","2025-04-10T00:58:16.303Z","article","Assemblyman Rich DeLong, sponsor of Assembly Bill 419, told the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources that the bill seeks to change the State Engineer’s procedures for accepting, reviewing and deciding applications for new water rights and for changes to existing rights, with the goal of improving transparency, efficiency and consistency.

The bill would require the State Engineer to adopt rules of practice and procedure, establish an optional pre-application meeting between prospective applicants and the State Engineer, create a preliminary-determination step before hearings, consolidate statutory deadlines for decisions in one place, and require clearer statements of reasons when the State Engineer chooses not to follow prior administrative precedent. \"The purpose of the bill is to improve transparency, efficiency and consistency in the state engineer procedures,\" Michael Pagni, counsel for the bill presenters, said.

Supporters — including Karen Peterson of the Allison MacKenzie law firm and Wade Paulson, Lincoln County Water District general manager — told the committee those steps would clarify what applicants must provide and could reduce the number of contested administrative hearings and subsequent court appeals. Peterson said the bill \"does not favor applicants, give applicants more control in the permitting process, or change the standards to appropriate water or change a water right in Nevada,\" and described pre-application conferences as a way to reduce wasted expense when an application would be incomplete or unlikely to be approved.

Opponents — including Kyle Roehring of the Great Basin Water Network, Scott Lake of the Center for Biological Diversity, the Sierra Club's Toiyabe chapter, and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe — said the bill would shift the process toward behind-the-scenes meetings that advantage applicants with resources and risk fast‑tracking additional appropriations. Roehring said the bill \"is all about granting more applications of water, bringing finality faster, and doing it all faster,\" and argued Nevada law requires an applicant to show water is available and that the public interest and existing rights be protected.

Nevada State Engineer Adam Sullivan testified in a neutral capacity that implementing the proposed front‑loaded meeting and preliminary-determination steps for every protested application would \"approximately double the review time for an individual application\" and exceed the Division of Water Resources' current staffing and resources. Sullivan also warned that removing the State Engineer’s exemption from the Administrative Procedure Act (NRS Chapter 233B) would require extensive statutory revisions and could expose prior orders to new legal challenges.

Committee members pressed sponsors on multiple points: whether the pre-application meetings would be open to potential protestants (sponsors said there is no application yet to protest and the meetings are intended to help applicants file more complete materials); who must attend pre-application conferences (sponsors said Basin Engineers or other Division staff could participate); and how the bill’s deadlines and limits on postponements would operate in practice. Assemblymember Considine told proponents he feared that adding more front‑end procedure but shortening timelines could increase workload rather than reduce it; sponsors replied the goal is to front-load issues so hearings focus on a narrower set of evidentiary questions and reduce appeals.

No committee action or vote was taken on AB 419 at the hearing. Assemblyman DeLong closed by saying he wished to continue discussions during the session with stakeholders and the Division of Water Resources.

Ending: The committee closed the AB 419 hearing after roughly one hour of sponsor presentation and public testimony and invited continued stakeholder engagement; no amendments or committee votes were recorded at the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/9/2025 - Assembly Committee on Natural Resources","oneSentenceSummary","Assemblyman Rich DeLong, sponsor of Assembly Bill 419, told the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources that the bill seeks to change the State Engineer’s procedures for accepting, reviewing and deciding applications for new water rights and for changes to existing rights, with the goal of improving transparency, efficiency and consistency.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NV, Nevada","taxId",78440,"location","Nevada","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6608118,"Committee approves amended ban on retail sale of dogs and cats by pet stores; some members reserve floor votes",180,607065,787149,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941166-3742407cbbf560929242ed5507138fa5&start=607&end=787","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941166-3742407cbbf560929242ed5507138fa5/thumbnail_607065.jpg","/articles/6608118/Nevada/Committee-approves-amended-ban-on-retail-sale-of-dogs-and-cats-by-pet-stores-some-members-reserve-floor-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608118-ba8aca7df97068f9c7a3d7f00c6eb2ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1770647399&Signature=oRQv7OcasNYrZkbYZ3Nfo92aZdz3vkoszpI9WVNC4WLgAGX3-~k7RLNf7UJxFp59KF5HPlmdxjPowsjmUVYREk1CDsEbVB5mQVZe0OULprb1w4w5FDezeB0bDTMIr5dWs5jCxT27EoQixiM58yDq~Z9i5LSEAhDL4k0OXIfBYpiLk~v6xeDLGCuKL2Ohtwm129zNQgIp4Jjy0VHCiaDYBEtfQXRxdEMD-y3BKYif~nYtuJjF~yaBVAVNzw~~ibmAXutBKr33cB1gSZBsqVZQca9tim3UTZIvfPoSVRfXPTypBW2QZLouu75keccJKQmSqNflOAzKa9Gpj~B7-3XgEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee staff summarized Assembly Bill 487 as a measure that revises provisions related to the sale of certain pets. The bill’s provisions include a prohibition on retail pet stores selling or transferring ownership of any dog or cat. Legislative staff also reported an amendment that revises definitions for \"retail pet store\" and \"dealer,\" removes a mens rea requirement for some violations, and a second amendment submitted by the Humane Society to delete a provision that would have prohibited transfers on streets and public places.

Assemblymember Hansen and Assemblymember Kasama told the committee they supported the intent but could not support a total ban; both indicated they would vote \"no\" in committee or reserved the right to change their vote on the floor. Assemblymember Karas said she had concerns about banning legitimate businesses but voted yes in committee while reserving a potential floor change. Vice Chair LaRue Hatch moved to amend and do pass; Assemblymember Karas seconded. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill out of committee; the chair noted Assemblymember Hansen and Assemblymember Kasama as recorded nays.

Ending: The committee adopted AB 487 as amended and assigned the floor statement to Assemblymember Marzola; several members stated reservations about their floor votes.","Assembly Bill 487, as amended, would prohibit retail pet stores from selling or transferring ownership of dogs and cats; the committee adopted the amendment and passed the measure out of committee with several members stating reservations they may change their votes on the floor.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6608123,"Committee clears amendment on conservation-easement statutory language",61,541685,603085,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941166-3742407cbbf560929242ed5507138fa5&start=541&end=603","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941166-3742407cbbf560929242ed5507138fa5/thumbnail_541685.jpg","/articles/6608123/Nevada/Committee-clears-amendment-on-conservation-easement-statutory-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608123-5c4446a8177c1f21a1ac1365bd15016d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770647399&Signature=Xc0LLavE2nkPHET3oGyA~GjlU86h-LAmMymB8PSjr--h6DKgc3FX0Xv5uJ9hvNzyXMnh3jXKAufwLb2V7rhOuSqSHJKZ52kS2EMz~zONE1LdniY9jttqxacrwd~F4mXZCemr55X0OWJZMUmyNIACv637btjpsrr6HNNRZT3sLIJs~pDWOmTcigXfEiC6dpyfhO~GKqSzxqgxeEVzy-XG1T53P6nWqmjU6pAqxV-~rg2XijfkWjgqKi7Y3rhpZlk5j9ZsU4WvU5dIdD1hj0SLmBl1reoa1GYGuDWP~lsWuuMCS14oimaU~OA4yeV9UCkNTpL9hCAyULcvJNFzz8W66w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee staff said Assembly Bill 429 makes several revisions related to conservation easements and that the amendment adds explicit reservation language into the statutory provisions governing creation, conveyance, recording and signing of conservation easements.

The bill was presented by Assemblymember Watts and witnesses Jake Tibbets and Alicia Bridal. Committee members offered no substantive questions on the floor and the committee moved to amend and pass the bill. Vice Chair LaRue Hatch moved the motion; Assemblymember Watts seconded. The motion carried by voice vote and the chair asked Assemblymember Watts to prepare the floor assignment for the measure.

Ending: AB 429 was adopted as amended and forwarded from committee; sponsorship and staff will prepare necessary floor materials.","Assembly Bill 429, which revises statutory language related to conservation easements, was amended to clarify reserved rights and conveyance language and passed the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources by a voice vote.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6608128,"Committee advances bill to modify groundwater board residency rules and appointment process",82,439350,521375,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941166-3742407cbbf560929242ed5507138fa5&start=439&end=521","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941166-3742407cbbf560929242ed5507138fa5/thumbnail_439350.jpg","/articles/6608128/Nevada/Committee-advances-bill-to-modify-groundwater-board-residency-rules-and-appointment-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608128-f0d7f54a91bcfc66b41bf738de47cbd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770647400&Signature=gje113dwzbLrkibywMPqdhCc-yUMHwUmHeHu9mTR2cGzhPz4BuxscXKwf-eg86KKDSKf4mE71dj2zzkvPBGN2jinZx77NjTXVpaWGMPZKuSaIzo4yliMEJWRKw7kmDDpFegs2ViKS3JG4n3WHE~mrOJYBYr9-VJSPD1r3-XK-w70hT4rz-oXvRtdasSFayrOlIm2lnIX~aSJqgzmV4UhgzM3WpnEPYUbU35U7F91JJq5vOG0N4OdXOztIUkyy5S7nIScfYq~GUD8OXIjuMR9rR82u17BCGN6CED0YbtriK4YCI5-4ZHmexbBUOqiUYvky8-DdluepggC-2OZVwNGsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Legislative staff said Assembly Bill 363 would make various changes to groundwater boards established by the State Engineer and in designated basins; the bill was presented by Jeff Fontaine, Executive Director of the Central Nevada Water Authority.

The amendment reported to the committee eliminates residency requirements for serving on the groundwater board, allows a board or boards of county commissioners (when multiple counties are involved) to submit names for the State Engineer to consider for appointment, and removes language in subsection 3 for clarity, according to committee staff.

Following brief discussion, the committee moved, amended and adopted the bill. Vice Chair LaRue Hatch moved the amendment and do pass; Assemblymember Watts seconded. The motion was adopted unanimously by the members present. The chair thanked Mr. Fontaine for his work on the measure.

Ending: AB 363 passed the committee with amendment and was forwarded to the floor; committee members thanked the presenter for stakeholder work on the bill.","Assembly Bill 363 would eliminate residency requirements for a GRA (ground) Water Board, allow boards or county commissions to submit appointment names to the State Engineer when multiple counties are involved, and remove unclear language; the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill out of committee unanimously.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6608133,"Committee approves amendment to extend wildlife protections to certain invertebrates",297,130474,428444,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941166-3742407cbbf560929242ed5507138fa5&start=130&end=428","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941166-3742407cbbf560929242ed5507138fa5/thumbnail_130474.jpg","/articles/6608133/Nevada/Committee-approves-amendment-to-extend-wildlife-protections-to-certain-invertebrates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608133-c5a45157c5d50657336a1f52dedfbeed/orig.mp4?Expires=1770647400&Signature=T0n~izSGtBEEkn8DMsR~bwGYWMw5yOTbcpDbNf6n-sxj9rY6Gqz-M2YEv5kF6au-SGLgmfGortk6IdiSX0Jv~yW3lM92WRc52iJKU5iTaT3rvfQAn8ImEtNEfqGVXBPBqlyFuVn5f3j85atLDctalMLjfbQkE7bdysdu3WHYrtjY7O-Z2Z8C~RLTQ5EMuEXV97Kf8-8NbhJ5-IMk6pfyo0jR39WcOJZNZyXR9TDU5R~VP8hC~qzXaPUHVcexnCd--vcNAP6gE61h1BbbIuXiCDdHZ17NF46bRbDIicPB8fOpwaKSL~EnStdu66J7yH8tgfrLm4YfUGbVXFYyI7Sd3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember Watts sponsored Assembly Bill 85 and told the committee an amendment to the bill addresses concerns raised by the Nevada Department of Agriculture. Becky Peratt of the Legislative Counsel Bureau introduced the measure and staff analysis. \"This amendment was worked on with the department and addresses those concerns,\" Assemblymember Watts said.

Kevin Burls of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation testified in support, saying the goal of creating a list was to prevent federal protection being necessary later and that adding invertebrates to the state-managed list is intended to protect species before they require federal Endangered Species Act protections. \"The goal of this list ... is to prevent the need for federal protection of these species,\" Burls said, noting that listing at the state level would not create a nexus with NEPA or Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.

After brief committee discussion, the committee moved to adopt the bill as amended. Vice Chair LaRue Hatch made the motion; the motion was seconded (the transcript records the second as Assemblymember Constantine). Assemblymember Ger indicated he would vote yes in committee but reserved the right to change his vote on the floor. The committee recorded two nay votes from Assemblymember Hansen and Assemblymember DeLong; the motion was adopted by the members present.

Ending: The committee passed AB 85 as amended and asked Assemblymember Watts to prepare the floor statement for the full Assembly.","The Assembly Committee on Natural Resources voted to adopt an amended bill expanding the definition of \"designated invertebrate\" and adding those species to wildlife protections; the amendment excludes some pests after coordination with the Department of Agriculture, and the bill was advanced out of committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assembly committee hears wide-ranging proposals to change state water-rights permitting process

Committee approves amended ban on retail sale of dogs and cats by pet stores; some members reserve floor votes

Committee clears amendment on conservation-easement statutory language

Committee advances bill to modify groundwater board residency rules and appointment process

Committee approves amendment to extend wildlife protections to certain invertebrates