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Senate approves expansion of Property Rights Ombudsman to assist small water‑rights owners
Summary
Third substitute SB 269 passed the Senate to allow the Property Rights Ombudsman to provide appeal‑process information to owners of water rights under 50 acre‑feet. Sponsor said the change will give small water‑rights owners an affordable avenue to learn appeal rights; Senate adopted the bill by roll call.
The Utah Senate passed third substitute Senate Bill 269 after floor debate about the program’s scope and fees.
Senator Stoll, sponsor of the substitute, said the bill permits the existing Property Rights Ombudsman in the Department of Commerce to provide information about appeal processes to holders of water rights of less than 50 acre‑feet. He said the office currently serves private property owners and that expanding services for small water‑rights holders gives them “another avenue to inquire about their rights to appeal.” Stoll said a fiscal clause establishes a fee for the service and anticipates hiring one additional attorney to handle the workload.
Senator Walker questioned whether the fee would apply to private property owners using the ombudsman and raised capacity concerns; Stoll replied he had discussed staffing and fees with Ombudsman Brent Bateman and anticipates adding one attorney to start. After debate the Senate called the question and adopted SB 269 on a roll call recorded in the transcript as 22 yes votes, 0 no votes with 7 absent. The bill will be referred to the House for further action.
What’s next: SB 269 will be transmitted to the House. Sponsors and the fiscal note indicate a fee and staffing increase to support the expanded service.
