1112-S AMS FRAS WILB 004

SHB 1112 - S AMD - 457

    By Senators Fraser and Loveland

    On page 3, after line 20 insert the following:

    "The referee shall perform its fact finding and investigative functions through all available means with the objective of providing the most complete and accurate report to the court that is possible.  In doing so the referee shall make site visits, shall meet with claimants and others who may have information regarding water use and availability in the basin, and shall review city, county, court, real property and other records of previous and current water use. The referee shall investigate information that is relevant to and probative of water use and shall include in its report to the court its assessment of the reliability of evidence upon which the report's findings and recommendations are made.

The referee shall schedule one or meetings at convenient locations within the basin for the purpose of explaining the adjudication proceedings to claimants and interested persons. The referee shall provide information to potential claimants on filing required documents, opportunities to be heard in the proceedings, and the anticipated steps that will occur throughout the proceedings."

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EFFECT: Clarifies the fact finding role of the referee and specifically authorizes the provision by the referee of assistance to claimants in understanding the adjudication process.