SB 5125-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Finds that the trust water rights program is an important tool in meeting the state's current and future needs for water, both instream and out-of-stream.

Finds that the existing procedures for establishing trust water rights are unnecessarily complex, and are difficult to explain and administer and finds that groups currently developing local watershed plans and regional water management programs are seeking an effective means to facilitate multiple, voluntary transfers of existing water rights to address presently unmet needs and future needs.

Declares an intent to enhance the effectiveness of the trust water rights program by improving existing incentives, removing disincentives, and clarifying and consolidating procedures for establishing trust water rights.

Finds that a state trust water rights program is an effective means to facilitate the voluntary transfer of water and water rights, established through conservation, purchase, lease, or donation, to secure and preserve water rights and provide water for presently unmet needs and emerging needs, and the trust water rights program improves the ability of the state to work with the United States and the various water users in the ongoing program to satisfy both existing rights and other presently unmet as well as future needs of the Yakima basin, through improvements to the existing federal water project in the Yakima river basin, authorized under P.L. 96-162.

Repeals provisions of chapters 90.38 and 90.42 RCW.