If HB2203 were to become law, it would update current statutes by extending the eligibility period for groundwater use rights in active management areas (AMAs) from five years to ten years for both irrigation and non-irrigation rights. This change would allow users to consider a longer historical period when establishing their rights. The bill also includes technical corrections, such as changing "geographical" to "geographic," and clarifies conditions for land deemed to have been in irrigation, emphasizing substantial capital investment and the timeline for such investments.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for the irrigation of land by correctional facilities under specific conditions and establishes a retroactive application date of August 30, 2022, allowing the new ten-year eligibility period to apply to cases occurring after that date. These updates aim to enhance the management and regulation of groundwater resources while ensuring clarity and consistency in the definitions and rights associated with irrigation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-402, 45-416, 45-452, 45-463, 45-464, 45-476, 3-1201, 45-414, 45-415, 45-454, 45-411, 45-411.02, 45-411.03, 45-437, 45-465, 45-564, 45-568, 45-483, 45-469, 45-472, 45-494.01, 45-591.01, 45-172, 45-465.01, 45-465.02, 45-114, 45-576
House Engrossed Version: 45-402, 45-416, 45-452, 45-463, 45-464, 45-476, 3-1201, 45-414, 45-415, 45-454, 45-411, 45-411.02, 45-411.03, 45-437, 45-465, 45-564, 45-568, 45-483, 45-469, 45-472, 45-494.01, 45-591.01, 45-172, 45-465.01, 45-465.02, 45-114, 45-576