HB 1879 - DIGEST

     Declares that water rights shall be interpreted and administered in recognition of the distinctive role and legal duties that municipal water suppliers have to serve growing communities, specifically including but not limited to the following: Municipal water suppliers may acquire and retain water rights for reasonably anticipated future needs; water rights held by municipal water suppliers shall have a place of use consistent with applicable growth management and water system planning statutes; and reasonable diligence for fully developing new and existing water rights held by municipal water suppliers shall be interpreted consistent with the needs of growing communities for reasonable assurance of continued future water supply.

     Declares an intent that municipal water suppliers shall comply with applicable environmental laws and rules, including those that provide for protection of fish habitat, and applicable state water conservation requirements.