Appropriations Committee advances annual water construction omnibus bill, debates Alkali Creek reversion and LaPrelle funding

The Appropriations Committee advanced the Legislature’s annual omnibus water construction bill and debated major project funding decisions, including a $60 million allocation for the LaPrelle Dam project and the reversion of $50 million from the Alkali Creek project to cover part of that cost. Committee members also discussed easement delays, a two‑phase preconstruction/construction funding approach, and a proposal to move the Board of Control’s annual budget to the general fund.

Senator Steinmetz, introducing the measure as the annual omnibus water construction bill, told members the bill consolidates numerous water development appropriations and uses severance tax revenues within the statutory cap. He said the accounts are funded through the severance tax “under…