Senate committee advances bill setting criteria for new reservoirs

The Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee on a voice vote advanced House Bill 349 (first substitute), a bill that lays out minimum criteria for proposed reservoirs, the sponsor said.

Representative Brooks, the bill sponsor, said the measure is intended to remove politics from the earliest stages of reservoir proposals and focus on fundamental feasibility. "The meat of this bill starts on line 51," the sponsor said, describing requirements that project proponents must show a water right, a local sponsor such as a water conservancy district, demonstrated need and that a project be affordable and of clear benefit to the region or state.

The bill would make it a precondition that proponents have the legal right to the water they propose to store and that a local entity be ready to manage the facility. Representative Brooks said the measure is intended as a long-term policy framework so the state and local sponsors know what steps are required before seeking funding or legislative review.

Peter Gessel, an attorney who described himself as a water professional with 25 years of experience, told the committee he supports the bill’s objectives but asked for more time to understand how the procedure would integrate with existing funding and implementation frameworks, including existing planning efforts and other pending bills. "My concern is that we have a lot of moving parts right now when it comes to water infrastructure funding," he said, urging the committee to clarify how the new process will work with the Unified Water Infrastructure Plan and related agency workflows.

Senators and the sponsor discussed how recreation and economic development can factor into reservoir planning and whether consolidating projects could yield greater benefits and efficiencies. Senator Hankins asked whether reservoirs could be designed to support fishing and boating; the sponsor noted that partnerships with state parks or other managers can help provide recreational opportunities without unduly burdening the entity that holds the water right.

Senator Hankins moved that the committee recommend the first substitute with a favorable recommendation. The chair called a voice vote and reported unanimous approval; the bill will be sent to the full Senate for further consideration.

The committee heard and advanced several other bills during the session and adjourned after completing its agenda.