Under existing law, the State Engineer may grant a permit for a temporary change of the place of diversion, manner of use or place of use of water already appropriated for a period not to exceed 1 year. Before granting such a permit, if the State Engineer determines that a temporary change may not be in the public interest, or may impair the water rights held by other persons, existing law: (1) requires the State Engineer to give notice of the application; (2) authorizes any interested person to file a written protest to the application; and (3) if a protest is filed, provides that the State Engineer may hold a hearing. (NRS 533.345) Section 1 of this bill authorizes the State Engineer to grant an application for a temporary change for a period not to exceed 10 years. If an application for a temporary change is filed for a period of more than 1 year, section 1 requires the State Engineer to give notice of the application. Existing law sets forth a schedule of fees that the State Engineer is required to collect for providing various services relating to the appropriation of water, including fees for: (1) examining and filing an application for a temporary permit to change the point of diversion, manner of use or place of use of an existing water right; and (2) with certain exceptions, issuing and recording each permit to change an existing water right, whether temporary or permanent. (NRS 533.435) Section 2 of this bill instead establishes fees for: (1) examining and filing an application for a temporary permit to change an existing water right for a period of 1 year or less; (2) examining and filing an application for a temporary permit to change an existing water right for a period of more than 1 year; (3) with certain exceptions, issuing and recording each permit for a permanent change to an existing water right for any purpose; and (4) with certain exceptions, issuing and recording each permit for a temporary change to an existing water right for any purpose.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 533.345, 533.435
BDR: 533.345, 533.435