Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Agriculture & Ecology Committee

SB 6319

Brief Description:  Changing numbering, placement, and division of subsections in two sections of the water code.

Sponsors:  Senator Fraser.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Reorganizes two sections of the water code.

Hearing Date:  2/22/02

Staff:  Kenneth Hirst (786‑7105).

Background:

Two of the original sections of the 1917 water code set out requirements for filing and processing applications for new water right permits and requirements for transferring or changing existing water rights.  The section on applications for new permits has been amended seven times since 1917; twice since 1990.  The section on transfers and changes has been amended six times since 1917; four times since 1990.

Summary of Bill:

The sections of the water code regarding applications for new water right permits and for transfers and changes of existing water rights are reorganized.  For example, some subsections of the existing code are further subdivided (e.g., Section 2(2) (a) through (d)), some provisions have been moved (e.g., Section 2(3)), some provisions that were free‑standing subsections are now sub‑divisions of subsections (e.g. Sections 3(2)(i) and 3(3)(a) through (e)), and some provisions have been converted to being proviso's or limitations to other provisions (e.g., Section 3(1)(b) and (c)).   The express purpose of the reorganization is to clarify how the provisions within a section relate to one another and to facilitate consistent interpretation and implementation of existing laws.  (Section 1.)

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.