2020 Senate Bills

SB 26 - Water Banking Amendments

Sponsor: Jani Iwamoto

Addresses transactional water right banking:

• Authorizes the Board of Water Resources, the state engineer, and the Division of Water Resources to implement water banking;

Enacts the Water Banking Act, including;

• Defines terms;
• Outlining the objectives of a water banking system;
• Provides the scope of the chapter;
• Addressing assistance by the Division of Water Resources;
• Outlining how statutory water banks are established and amended;
• Outlining how contract water banks are established and amended;
• Requires annual reports to the Board of Water Resources;
• Addressing the default of a water bank and revocation of a water bank;
• Providing for the banking of water rights;
• Addressing condemnation of banked water rights;
• Addressing delivery request for loaned water rights in the water banks;
• Addressing the enforcement powers of the state engineer;
• Imposing reporting procedures on the board and the Department of Natural Resources.

RWAU Stance: Support

Legislative Action: Passed

VIEW SB 26

SB 29S03 - Drug Disposal Program

Sponsor: Daniel W. Thatcher

The bill establishes a program for the secure, environmentally friendly disposal of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

RWAU Stance: Tracking

Legislative Action: Passed

VIEW SB 29

SB 51S02 - Secondary Water Requirements

Sponsor: Jacob L. Anderegg

Addresses the metering of secondary watering:

• Modifies the definition of public water supplier;
• Defines terms;
• Requires metering of secondary water under certain circumstances;
• Imposes requirements relating to metering;
• Grants rule-making authority;
• Provides for the issuance of loans with specified restrictions;
• Restricts the use of culinary water for regular irrigation;
• Enacts exemptions;
• Creates the Secondary Water Metering Restricted Account;
• Provides the issuance of grants;
• Makes technical changes.

RWAU Stance: Track

Legislative Action: Passed

VIEW SB 51

SB 52 - Agricultural Water Use Amendments

Sponsor: Jacob L. Anderegg

The bill addresses reporting on agricultural water use.

RWAU Stance: Tracking

Legislative Action: Failed

VIEW SB 52

SB 82S01 - Unlawful Drug Disposal Amendment

Sponsor: Daniel W. Thatcher

Makes it unlawful to dispose of drugs in certain locations

• An infraction to dispose of a drug in a drain, sewage system, the waters of this state, or a landfill
• Provides a civil penalty
• Provides a restricted account to educate citizens on the requirements of this bill and the lawful methods of disposal

RWAU Stance: Support

Legislative Action: Failed

VIEW SB 82

SB 84 - Public Entity Water Users Amendments

Sponsor: Jacob L. Anderegg

Addresses the use of water by specific public entities

• Development and submission of certain water plans
• Compliance with a conservation plan
• Metering of water used by a public entity water user

RWAU Stance: Oppose as Written

Legislative Action: Failed

VIEW SB 84

SB 88 - Environmental Quality Revisions

Sponsor: Ralph Okerlund

Sets the authority for DDW to set fee’s and penalties

RWAU Stance: Track

Legislative Action: Passed

VIEW SB 88

SB 144 - Water-Related Process Amendments

Sponsor: Ralph Okerlund

This bill addresses processes related to water rights and interference claims.

RWAU Stance: 

Legislative Action: Passed

VIEW SB 144