SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6726

                    As of January 26, 2000

Title:  An act relating to clarifying water right permit processing.

Brief Description:  Changing the water right application process.

Sponsors:  Senators Honeyford, Jacobsen, Swecker, Hochstatter, Roach, Stevens and Hale.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Environmental Quality & Water Resources:  1/27/2000.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & WATER RESOURCES

Staff:  Genevieve Pisarski (786-7488)

Background:  Because water rights are use rights granted by the state, changes or transfers of water rights require the approval of the state.  The authority to do so is delegated to the Department of Ecology.  Authority to consider and conditionally approve transfers is also delegated to water conservancy boards.

According to recent decisions of the state Supreme Court, approval of a change or transfer requires a determination that no other existing water rights and applications for new water rights would be impaired.

Summary of Bill:  Processing of applications for changes or transfers of existing surface or ground water rights is not required to consider impairment of pending applications for new water rights.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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