FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 3060

                         C 258 L 98

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to sufficient cause for nonuse of water rights.

Sponsors:  Representative Chandler.

House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology

Senate Committee on Agriculture & Environment

Background:  If a person abandons or voluntarily fails to use beneficially all or any part of the person's water right for five successive years, the right or portion unused is relinquished and reverts to the state.  A number of exemptions from this relinquishment requirement are listed by statute.

Summary:  A water right is not relinquished for five successive years of non-use if  the use of the right is precluded or reduced by federal or state agency leases of, or options to purchase, lands or water rights, or if the water right is leased and the lessee makes beneficial use of the right in accordance with an approved transfer or change of the right.

Votes on Final Passage:

House960

Senate412(Senate amended)

House980(House concurred)

Effective:June 11, 1998