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Senate advances bill tightening process for moving irrigation-company water beyond historic service areas
Summary
After extended debate, the Senate voted 16–9 to advance second substitute Senate Bill 99, which creates additional company- and state-engineer-level tests before shareholders can change where irrigation-company water is used outside historic service areas. Supporters said it protects beneficial use; opponents warned of litigation, fiscal costs and threats to ditch systems.
Salt Lake City — The Utah Senate moved second substitute Senate Bill 99 forward after hours of debate on whether and how irrigation-company water shares may be used outside a company’s historic service area.
Sponsor Senator Valentine told colleagues the bill establishes a two-tier approval process. A shareholder seeking to change where water is used must first obtain approval from the water company; if approved, the request then goes to the state engineer, who must verify statutory criteria are met, including that the change will not cause interference with others’ water rights, will not harm the natural stream…
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