HB 1113-S - DIGEST


(DIGEST AS ENACTED)


Declares that, for the purposes of chapter 87.80 RCW, a water company, a water users' association, a municipality, a water right owner and user of irrigation water, or any other entity that provides irrigation water as a primary purpose, is an irrigation entity when creating or joining a board of joint control with an irrigation district or operating entity for a division within a federal reclamation project.

Requires that when a board of joint control includes irrigation entities other than an irrigation district or an operating entity for a division within a federal reclamation project as provided in RCW 87.80.005, the voting structure must be such that the votes apportioned to those entities are less than fifty percent of the total votes.

Provides that any change in place of use that results from a transfer of water between the individual entities of the board of joint control shall not result in any reduction in the total water supply available in a federal reclamation project. In making the determination of whether a change of place of use in an area covered by a federal reclamation project will result in a reduction in the total water supply available, the board of joint control shall consult with the bureau of reclamation.

Directs the board of joint control to notify the department of ecology, and any Indian tribe requesting notice, of transfers of water between the individual entities of the board of joint control. This applies only to a board of joint control created after January 1, 2003.

Declares that the provisions of chapter . . ., Laws of 2003 (this act) shall not be construed or interpreted to authorize the impairment of any existing water rights.