Senate committee gives due pass to bill changing conditional-use language for water permits

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on an unspecified date voted 7-0 to give a due pass recommendation to Senate Bill 2141, a measure that changes the stated purpose of conditional uses in water permits.

Committee members said questions raised by opponents and Water Resources testimony centered on livestock use and whether a permitted reservoir would allow withdrawals. The panel agreed that the bill’s language allows livestock and recreational uses but does not authorize water withdrawal without a separate permit.

Senator Beard, a committee member, summarized the discussion: "the big question was the livestock and the livestock usage. But if you really read that entire statement, it kinda spells out that at the end it says, you know, livestock use, and recreation for use for a reservoir authorizing no withdrawal of water. So, and clearly, they have to get another permit if they are going to withdraw water from that, reservoir." That explanation helped move the committee to a motion for a due pass recommendation.

The motion was made by Senator Beard and seconded by Senator Gerhardt. The committee recorded a 7-0 vote in favor of the due pass recommendation. A committee member agreed to carry the bill forward on the floor (carrier not specified in the transcript excerpt).

The measure will proceed as recommended by the committee; the record shows the committee voted unanimously to advance the bill.