6291-S2 AMS SUTH S5656.1

6291-S2 AMS suth S5656.1

2SSB 6291 - S AMD

By Senators Sutherland, Rassmussen, Newhouse, Amondson and Morton

On page 1, after line 18, insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 90.03 RCW to read as follows:

In furtherance of the purpose of chapter . . ., Laws of 1994 (this act) to more expeditiously make decisions regarding water right applications as stated in section 1 of this act, the legislature finds that the administering agency will be better enabled to make decisions and be better able to assure conditions placed on permits and certificates are complied with if procedures for the regulation of waters and water rights are clearly established. The purpose of this section is to set forth the powers of the department to regulate the withdrawal or diversion of public waters and water or water rights related thereto including regulation based on dates of priority or other pertinent factors. Regulatory actions taken under this section shall be based on examination and determination by the department or the court, as applicable, of the various water rights involved according to the department's records and other records and pertinent facts. The powers set forth in this section may be exercised whether or not a general adjudication relating to the water rights involved has been conducted.

(1) In a regulatory situation (a) where a water right or all water rights proposed for regulation by the department, as well as any right or rights of a senior priority that the proposed regulation is designed to protect, is or are embodied in a certificate or certificates issued under RCW 90.03.240, 90.03.330, 90.38.040, 90.42.040, or 90.44.060 or a permit or permits issued pursuant to RCW 90.03.290 or 90.44.060; or (b) where a flow or level has been established by rule pursuant to chapter 90.22 or 90.54 RCW; or (c) where it appears to the department that public waters are being withdrawn without any right or other appropriate authority whatsoever, the department in its discretion is authorized to regulate the right or rights under either RCW 43.27A.190 or subsection (2) of this section.

(2) In a regulatory situation where one or more of the water rights proposed for regulation by the department, as well as any right or rights of a senior priority that the proposed regulation is designed to protect, is not or are not embodied in a permit or certificate as described in subsection (1) of this section, the department, as its sole and exclusive power to regulate, is authorized to bring an appropriate action at law or in equity, including seeking injunctive relief, as it may deem necessary. Where actions are brought in a state court, the actions shall be initiated in the superior court of the county where the point or points of diversion of the water right or rights proposed for regulation are located. If the points of diversion are located in more than one county, the department may bring the action in a county where a point of diversion is located.

(3) Nothing in this section authorizes the department to accomplish a general adjudication of water rights proceeding or the substantial equivalent of a general adjudication of water rights. The exclusive procedure for accomplishing a general adjudication of water rights is under RCW 90.03.110 through 90.03.245 or 90.44.220.

(4) Nothing in this section shall have an impact on RCW 90.14.130 or 90.14.200.

(5) This section does not in any way modify regulatory powers previously placed with the department except as provided in subsections (1) and (2) of this section."

Renumber the remaining sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

2SSB 6291 - S AMD

By Senators Sutherland, Rasmussen, Newhouse, Amondson and Morton

On page 1, line 4 of the title, after "90.40.090;" insert "adding new sections to chapter 90.03 RCW;"

On page 1, beginning on line 5 of the title, after "43.21B RCW;" strike "adding new sections to chapter 90.03 RCW;"