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House approves bill allowing extensions of certain public water-right filings
Summary
House Bill 25 would let the state water engineer extend water-right applications beyond the 50-year limit for public water supply agencies that demonstrate future public need; the House passed the bill 71–1 and sent it to the Senate after debate over fairness to private applicants.
Representative Dennis H. Iverson explained House Bill 25 as a measure to allow the state water engineer discretion to extend appropriative water-right applications beyond the current 50-year window for public water supply agencies. "House Bill 25 would change the law and allow the engineer to extend applications beyond the 50 year period for public water supply agencies," the sponsor said, emphasizing the purpose is to protect priority dates while allowing agencies time to obtain environmental clearances and construct large projects such as reservoirs and pipelines.
Floor members questioned whether the treatment of public agencies would be fair relative to private applicants and whether extensions would give public entities an advantage. Iverson replied the extension is meant to avoid forcing taxpayers into premature water development and to preserve priority dates for public uses; he also noted that extensions are discretionary and would be conditioned on demonstrated need and the demands of environmental permitting.
The House recorded the vote: HB25 passed with 71 yes votes and 1 no vote and will be forwarded to the Senate for consideration.
