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H.B. 231

             1     

WATER RIGHTS PRIORITIES IN TIMES OF

             2     
SHORTAGE

             3     
2010 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Kerry W. Gibson

             6     
Senate Sponsor: Ralph Okerlund

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill addresses the priority of water rights during times of water shortage.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    provides that the priority for water use under water rights is determined by the date
             14      of the appropriation of water;
             15          .    provides an exception allowing certain uses to be prioritized before an earlier-dated
             16      water right in times of a declared temporary water shortage emergency;
             17          .    defines "temporary water shortage emergency;"
             18          .    provides for the payment of compensation to be paid by a water user whose right is
             19      given priority during a temporary water shortage emergency to the user whose use is
             20      interrupted; and
             21          .    makes technical changes.
             22      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             23          None
             24      Other Special Clauses:
             25          None
             26      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             27      ENACTS:


             28          73-3-21.1, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             29     
             30      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             31          Section 1. Section 73-3-21.1 is enacted to read:
             32          73-3-21.1. Priorities between appropriators.
             33          (1) As used in this section, "temporary water shortage emergency" means a shortage of
             34      water:
             35          (a) whether caused by drought, manmade, or naturally caused;
             36          (b) for which the governor has declared an emergency; and
             37          (c) that may not exceed in duration more than two consecutive calendar years.
             38          (2) (a) Appropriators shall have priority among themselves according to the dates of
             39      their respective appropriations, so that each appropriator is entitled to receive the appropriator's
             40      whole supply before any subsequent appropriator has any right.
             41          (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (2)(a), if there is a temporary water shortage
             42      emergency, the use of water for drinking, sanitation, and fire suppression has a preferential
             43      right over any other water right for the duration of the temporary water shortage emergency if:
             44          (i) the water is used by:
             45          (A) an individual water user;
             46          (B) a county or municipality; or
             47          (C) a public water supplier, as defined in Section 73-1-4 ; and
             48          (ii) the water is used without unnecessary waste.
             49          (c) Notwithstanding Subsection (2)(a), if there is a temporary water shortage
             50      emergency, the use of water for agricultural purposes, including irrigation and livestock water,
             51      has a preferential right over any other right, except as provided in Subsection (2)(b).
             52          (3) A person using water preferentially during a temporary water storage emergency
             53      shall pay to the appropriator whose water use is interrupted the reasonable value of the water
             54      use interrupted, crop losses, and other consequential damages incurred as a result of the
             55      interruption.





Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-20-10 3:42 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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