Nevada Assembly discusses bill to streamline water permit process

The Assembly Committee on Natural Resources convened on April 9, 2025, to discuss proposed revisions to the permitting program under Nevada State Water Law. The meeting focused on addressing concerns regarding lengthy approval processes and the lack of clarity in decision-making for applicants and protestants.

The discussion highlighted that current approval or denial decisions often take too long, leading to confusion about the rationale behind these decisions. The only recourse for dissatisfied parties is to appeal to the courts, a process that is both time-consuming and costly. To alleviate these issues, the proposed bill aims to streamline the permitting process, reduce the number of court appeals, and enhance the efficiency of the State Engineer's operations.

Michael Pagni, representing the bill, outlined its key objectives: improving communication during the application process, ensuring consistency in hearing procedures, and enhancing transparency in the adoption of regulations. The bill mandates the State Engineer to establish rules of practice and procedure, which will incorporate existing legal standards for expert testimony and evidence.

A significant feature of the bill is the introduction of a preliminary determination process. This allows the State Engineer to identify potential issues in applications before hearings, thereby making the process more efficient. Additionally, the bill proposes changes to notification procedures and consolidates decision deadlines for the State Engineer, making them easier to follow.

The committee also discussed the fiscal implications of the bill. The State Engineer indicated that implementing these changes could require doubling the current budget, estimating a need for approximately $22.23 million, compared to the existing $24 million biannual budget.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for questions from committee members, indicating a willingness to engage further on the bill's provisions and their potential impact on the workload of the State Engineer's office. The committee plans to continue discussions on the bill in future sessions, focusing on its implications for water management in Nevada.