s_agr_2016a_2016-03-30t11:25:00z2 Hearing Summary

Date: 03/30/2016

11:43 AM -- HB 16-1109



Senator Sonnenberg and Senator Donovan, co-prime sponsors, discussed the provisions of House Bill 16-1109 concerning the application of state water law to federal agencies. The reengrossed bill states that Colorado water is a transferable property right and that the federal government must comply with state law, through the water court process, to acquire water rights. The bill prohibits the State Engineer and the division engineers in the Department of Natural Resources from enforcing or administering efforts by the United States Forest Service (USFS) or Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that require a full or partial transfer of ownership in a water right to the USFS or the BLM; restricts the use or alienability of the water right as a condition for an authorization to use federally owned lands; or requires a third party that supplies water to a federal special use permit holder to supply the water for a set period of time or in a set amount.



The following person testified on the bill:



11:45 AM -- Kristen Moseley, representing Eagle River Water and Sanitation District, Clinton Ditch and Reservoir Company, Eagle Park Reservoir Company, and the Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority, spoke in support of the bill. She also discussed Colorado's water law the process for the federal government to obtain water rights under federal and Colorado water law.



11:53 AM



The chair closed testimony and Senator Sonnenberg and Senator Donovan closed their remarks on the bill.

11:56 AM



The committee adjourned.