2017 HB 472 Water Right Administration Changes

Description

HB 472 would have preferentially prevented cattle growers from losing water rights if they didn’t use them and restricted the rights of State Engineer to come into possession of water rights that livestock growers possess. The bill would have also granted a right for ranchers to cross over any land necessary to access a water right, putting others’ private property rights at risk. This would have made it much more difficult for the State Engineer to acquire water rights from ranchers. CVNM opposed because of the preferential treatment of one class of water users and the significant negative impacts that cattle have on water quality and riparian zones.

Outcome

HB 472 died in the House Judiciary Committee.


How Legislators Voted on HB 472


  • = Pro Conservation Vote
  • = Anti Conservation Vote
  • A = Absent
  • E = Excused
  • R = Recused
  • W = Abstain
Legislator Party District Office Conservation
Vote
Year
Wooley, Bob (R) R 66 Representative 2017
Sweetser, Candie G. (D) D 32 Representative 2017
Salazar, Nick L. (D) D 40 Representative E 2017
Rodella, Debbie A. (D) D 41 Representative 2017
Herrell, Yvette (R) R 51 Representative 2017
Gomez, Bealquin "Bill" (D) D 34 Representative 2017
Ezzell, Candy Spence (R) R 58 Representative 2017
Dodge Jr., George (D) D 63 Representative 2017
Crowder, Randal S. (R) R 64 Representative 2017
Bandy, Paul C. (R) R 3 Representative 2017