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Senate passes water-change application bill after heated debate over sunset carve-out
Summary
After extended floor debate over whether to add a temporary sunset and carve-outs for cities, the Utah Senate approved a first substitute to Senate Bill 109 (change application procedure), restoring broader authority to the state water engineer and preserving court review; the vote was 19–9 (1 absent).
SALT LAKE CITY — After more than two hours of floor debate, the Utah Senate approved a first substitute to Senate Bill 109, a measure changing procedures for water-right change applications, by a roll-call of 19 yea, 9 nay, 1 absent.
Senator Karen Okerlund, sponsor of the bill, said the measure ‘‘brings it back to the legislature to give the power to the state engineer to be able to address all of these issues’’ and stressed that ‘‘there is a remedy’’ when parties disagree: either side may appeal to the courts. ‘‘The protestant or the applicant can then go to the courts and appeal any decision that is made by the state water engineer,’’ she said during floor remarks.
Opponents pushed a second-substitute amendment offered by Senator Hinkins that would have added a sunset date…
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