Assembly Bill 354 and AB356 were introduced in the Assembly Ways and Means Committee on Monday March 22nd. Both bills were requested by the Division of Water Resources. AB354 authorizes the creation and sets forth the authority and duties of certain water banks and requires the State Engineer to submit a biennial report to the Legislature related to water banks. AB356 creates and sets forth the requirements for the Program for the Conservation of Water and creates the Account for Purchasing and Retiring Water Rights and authorizes the State Engineer to purchase and retire certain water rights with money from the Account. Neither bill has been scheduled for a hearing.
SB155 which revises the name and qualifications of the executive head of the Division of Water Resources to be heard March 18
SB155 will be heard by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources on Thursday March 18th. The Committee hearing begins at 3:30 p.m. SB155 changes the title of the executive head of the Division of Water Resources from the State Engineer to the Administrator and the the name of the Office of the State Engineer to the Division of Water Resources. It also revises the qualifications for the executive head of the Division of Water Resources to require that the Administrator: (1) be experienced and competent in water resource management and conservation; (2) have the demonstrated ability to administer a major public agency; and (3) with limited exception, be a licensed professional engineer with skill and experience in water-related engineering. It further provides that the person appointed as Administrator is not required to be such a licensed engineer if: (1) a deputy administrator of the Division is a licensed professional engineer with skill and experience in water-related engineering; and (2) the person has the theoretical knowledge, practical experience and technical skills necessary for the position.
Information on how you can watch the Committee hearing and also provide testimony can be found here.
AB 146 relating to diffuse sources of water pollution to be heard March 17
Assembly Bill (AB) 146 will heard by the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources on Wednesday March 17th. The Committee hearing begins at 4 p.m. AB146 requires the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to establish a program regulating water pollution resulting from diffuse sources.
Information on how you can watch the Committee hearing and also provide testimony can be found here.
Senate Bill 149 which enables counties to establish groundwater boards to be heard March 11th
SB149 which was requested by the Central Nevada Regional Water Authority and recommended by the Legislature’s Interim Public Lands Committee for a bill draft request will be heard by the Senate Natural Resources Committee on Thursday March 11th at 3:30 pm. Click here to view the meeting and register to testify on the bill. Click here for a summary and CNRWA’s proposed amendment to SB149.
Nevada Supreme Court issues Advance Opinion in Pahrump Fair Water case
The Nevada Supreme Court on February 25th issued an Advance Opinion reversing the district court’s decision, which invalidated Order #1293A issued by the State Engineer that required the relinquishment of two acre-feet of water rights for every new domestic well drilled.
AB5 & AB6 to be heard by Assembly Natural Resources Committee Monday March 1
Assembly Bill (AB)5 and AB6 which were requested by the Division of Water Resources will heard by the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources on Monday March 1st. The Committee hearing begins at 4 p.m. AB5 makes various changes to provisions relating to judicial review of orders and decisions of the State Engineer. CNRWA is concerned that it would reduce affected water users’ ability to challenge decisions of the State Engineer in Nevada state courts. AB6 revises provisions governing an application for a temporary change relating to appropriated water. Specifically, AB6 makes the holding of a hearing on an application for a temporary change to the place of diversion, manner of use or place of use of water application discretionary which CNRWA does not oppose.
Information on how you can watch the Committee hearing and also provide testimony can be found here.