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Committee advances Water Resources funding package and process reforms; fee increases draw pushback from farmers
Summary
The Natural Resources subcommittee recommended the Water Resources Department biennial budget and a set of fee increases and process reforms intended to reduce permitting backlogs and shore up dam‑safety services, while rural lawmakers warned the fee hikes will burden farmers and ranchers.
The Ways and Means Natural Resources Subcommittee on June 17 recommended a package of funding and policy changes for the Water Resources Department (WRD), reporting out Senate Bill 5543 (the department’s budget) and related measures that together aim to reduce backlogs and speed permitting while increasing fee revenue. The subcommittee recommended amendments and reported SB 5543 due pass as amended.
Key elements read into the record included a recommended WRD budget of roughly $245 million total funds, supporting about 245 positions, and several policy packages totaling about $12 million (including nearly $10 million general fund) to restore staff for water-right transaction processing, maintain dam safety services, provide legal services and carry forward grant funding for water-supply projects. The department will continue work on American Rescue Plan Act funded projects and restore services related to…
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