A group of Republican state legislators in Nevada have introduced Assembly Bill 419, aimed at speeding up the process of determining who can obtain the right to use water in the state. The bill, sponsored by Assemblymembers Rich DeLong, Bert Gurr, and Lisa Cole, would make significant changes to the Division of Water Resources’ budget and procedures. It would allow applicants to request meetings with the state engineer, set earlier deadlines for responses to applications, and require biannual reports to the Legislature on pending applications.
While some argue that the bill is necessary to fix a broken system and expedite the permitting process, others, including State Engineer Adam Sullivan, believe it could actually double review times and disadvantage those without legal resources. Supporters of the bill, including Vidler Water Company and the Lincoln County Water District, believe increased engagement with applicants upfront could reduce the number of applications submitted.
However, the bill is facing opposition from water districts in Las Vegas, central Nevada, and the Reno area, as well as the Southern Nevada Water Authority. Concerns have been raised about prioritizing new water rights applications over existing rights and the potential impact on Nevada’s over-appropriated hydrological basins.
Advocates for water security, such as the Great Basin Water Network, are calling for a closer examination of the bill and the implications of changing water rights processes. The debate over Assembly Bill 419 continues, with conflicting opinions on whether the proposed changes will actually expedite the permitting process or create new challenges for water rights holders in the state.
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