This bill amends section 46-740 of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska to update provisions related to groundwater allocation and the use of integrated management plans, rules, or orders. It establishes that if groundwater allocation for irrigation is adopted in a management area, the withdrawal will be allocated equally per irrigated acre, with the possibility for users to average their allocation over time. The bill also clarifies that allocations made to municipalities before November 1, 2005, will remain effective but can be amended by the appropriate natural resources district. New provisions specify that starting January 1, 2026, any new or expanded commercial or industrial user exceeding a water use of twenty-five million gallons annually will be subject to the controls of an integrated management plan and must provide a mitigation report to the relevant natural resources district.

Additionally, the bill introduces a requirement for annual water use and consumption reporting from municipalities within areas deemed fully appropriated or overappropriated. It also outlines that, on and after January 1, 2026, the base amount for annual allocations to municipalities and nonmunicipal commercial or industrial users will be determined based on previous water use or permits issued. The bill aims to harmonize existing provisions while ensuring sustainable water management practices in Nebraska. The original section 46-740 is repealed as part of this legislative update.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 46-740