Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 43 Fourth Substitute (2015GS)

Sponsor

Rep. McIff, K.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/27/2015

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Gary R. Herbert

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• amends definitions;
• modifies the procedure for filing a change application;
• provides an option for court resolution of legal issues not within the purview of the state engineer;
• allows recovery of attorney fees under certain circumstances; and
• makes technical changes.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

WATER RIGHTS - CHANGE APPLICATION AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Kay L. McIff
Senate Sponsor: 
Jerry W. Stevenson
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill modifies Title 73, Water and Irrigation, by amending the requirements for a
change application.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ amends definitions;
▸ modifies the procedure for filing a change application;
▸ provides an option for court resolution of legal issues not within the purview of the
state engineer;
▸ allows recovery of attorney fees under certain circumstances; and
▸ makes technical changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
This bill provides a coordination clause.
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
73-1-4
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapters 221 and 380
73-2-27
, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 215
73-3-3
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 229
73-3-3.5
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
Utah Code Sections Affected by Coordination Clause:
73-3-3
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 229
 73-3-8
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 136
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
73-1-4
 is amended to read:
73-1-4.
Reversion to the public by abandonment or forfeiture for nonuse within
seven years -- Nonuse application.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Public entity" means:
(i) the United States;
(ii) an agency of the United States;
(iii) the state;
(iv) a state agency;
(v) a political subdivision of the state; or
(vi) an agency of a political subdivision of the state.
(b) "Public water supplier" means an entity that:
(i) supplies water, directly or indirectly, to the public for municipal, domestic, or
industrial use; and
(ii) is:
(A) a public entity;
(B) a water corporation, as defined in Section 
54-2-1
, that is regulated by the Public
Service Commission;
(C) a community water system:
(I) that:
(Aa) supplies water to at least 100 service connections used by year-round residents; or
(Bb) regularly serves at least 200 year-round residents; and
(II) whose voting members:
(Aa) own a share in the community water system;
(Bb) receive water from the community water system in proportion to the member's
share in the community water system; and
(Cc) pay the rate set by the community water system based on the water the member
receives; or
(D) a water users association:
(I) in which one or more public entities own at least 70% of the outstanding shares; and
(II) that is a local sponsor of a water project constructed by the United States Bureau of
Reclamation.
(c) "Shareholder" [
is as
] 
means the same as that term is
 defined in Section 
73-3-3.5
.
(d) "Water company" [
is as
] 
means the same as that term is
 defined in Section
73-3-3.5
.
(e) "Water supply entity" means an entity that supplies water as a utility service or for
irrigation purposes and is also:
(i) a municipality, water conservancy district, metropolitan water district, irrigation
district, or other public agency;
(ii) a water company regulated by the Public Service Commission; or
(iii) any other owner of a community water system.
(2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b) or (e), when an appropriator or the
appropriator's successor in interest abandons or ceases to use all or a portion of a water right for
a period of seven years, the water right or the unused portion of that water right is subject to
forfeiture in accordance with Subsection (2)(c).
(b) (i) An appropriator or the appropriator's successor in interest may file an
application for nonuse with the state engineer.
(ii) If a person described in Subsection (2)(b)(i) files and receives approval on a nonuse
application, nonuse of the water right subject to the application is not counted toward a
seven-year period described in Subsection (2)(a) during the period of time beginning on the day
on which the person files the application and ending on the day on which the application
expires without being renewed.
(iii) If a person described in Subsection (2)(b)(i) files and receives approval on
successive, overlapping nonuse applications, nonuse of the water right subject to the
applications is not counted toward a seven-year period described in Subsection (2)(a) during
the period of time beginning on the day on which the person files the first application and
ending on the day on which the last application expires without being renewed.
(iv) Approval of a nonuse application does not protect a water right that is already
subject to forfeiture under Subsection (2)(a) for full or partial nonuse of the water right.
(v) A nonuse application may be filed on all or a portion of the water right, including
water rights held by a water company.
(vi) After giving written notice to the water company, a shareholder may file a nonuse
application with the state engineer on the water represented by the stock.
(c) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(c)(ii), a water right or a portion of the water
right may not be forfeited unless a judicial action to declare the right forfeited is commenced
within 15 years from the end of the latest period of nonuse of at least seven years.
(ii) (A) The state engineer, in a proposed determination of rights prepared in
accordance with Section 
73-4-11
, may not assert that a water right was forfeited unless a period
of nonuse of seven years ends or occurs during the 15 years immediately preceding the day on
which the state engineer files the proposed determination of rights with the court.
(B) After the day on which a proposed determination of rights is filed with the court a
person may not assert that a water right subject to that determination was forfeited during the
15-year period described in Subsection (2)(c)(ii)(A), unless the state engineer asserts forfeiture
in the proposed determination, or a person makes, in accordance with Section 
73-4-11
, an
objection to the proposed determination that asserts forfeiture.
(iii) A water right, found to be valid in a decree entered in an action for general
determination of rights under Chapter 4, Determination of Water Rights, is subject to a claim
of forfeiture based on a seven-year period of nonuse that begins after the day on which the state
engineer filed the related proposed determination of rights with the court, unless the decree
provides otherwise.
(iv) If in a judicial action a court declares a water right forfeited, on the date on which
the water right is forfeited:
(A) the right to use the water reverts to the public; and
(B) the water made available by the forfeiture:
(I) first, satisfies other water rights in the hydrologic system in order of priority date;
and
(II) second, may be appropriated as provided in this title.
(d) [
This
] 
Except as provided in Subsection (2)(e), this
 section applies whether the
unused or abandoned water or a portion of the water is:
(i) permitted to run to waste; or
(ii) used by others without right with the knowledge of the water right holder.
(e) This section does not apply to:
(i) the use of water according to a lease or other agreement with the appropriator or the
appropriator's successor in interest;
(ii) a water right if its place of use is contracted under an approved state agreement or
federal conservation fallowing program;
(iii) those periods of time when a surface water or groundwater source fails to yield
sufficient water to satisfy the water right;
(iv) a water right when water is unavailable because of the water right's priority date;
(v) a water right to store water in a surface reservoir or an aquifer, in accordance with
Title 73, Chapter 3b, Groundwater Recharge and Recovery Act, if:
(A) the water is stored for present or future use; or
(B) storage is limited by a safety, regulatory, or engineering restraint that the
appropriator or the appropriator's successor in interest cannot reasonably correct;
(vi) a water right if a water user has beneficially used substantially all of the water right
within a seven-year period, provided that this exemption does not apply to the adjudication of a
water right in a general determination of water rights under Chapter 4, Determination of Water
Rights;
(vii) except as provided by Subsection (2)(g), a water right:
(A) (I) owned by a public water supplier;
(II) represented by a public water supplier's ownership interest in a water company; or
(III) to which a public water supplier owns the right of use; and
(B) conserved or held for the reasonable future water requirement of the public, which
is determined according to Subsection (2)(f);
(viii) a supplemental water right during a period of time when another water right
available to the appropriator or the appropriator's successor in interest provides sufficient water
so as to not require use of the supplemental water right; or
(ix) a water right subject to an approved change application where the applicant is
diligently pursuing certification.
(f) (i) The reasonable future water requirement of the public is the amount of water
needed in the next 40 years by
:
(A)
 the persons within the public water supplier's [
projected
] 
reasonably anticipated
service area based on [
projected
] 
reasonably anticipated
 population growth
;
 or
(B)
 other water use demand.
(ii) For purposes of Subsection (2)(f)(i), a community water system's [
projected
]
reasonably anticipated
 service area:
(A) is the area served by the community water system's distribution facilities; and
(B) expands as the community water system expands the distribution facilities in
accordance with Title 19, Chapter 4, Safe Drinking Water Act.
(g) For a water right acquired by a public water supplier on or after May 5, 2008,
Subsection (2)(e)(vii) applies if:
(i) the public water supplier submits a change application under Section 
73-3-3
; and
(ii) the state engineer approves the change application.
(3) (a) The state engineer shall furnish a nonuse application form requiring the
following information:
(i) the name and address of the applicant;
(ii) a description of the water right or a portion of the water right, including the point of
diversion, place of use, and priority;
(iii) the quantity of water;
(iv) the period of use;
(v) the extension of time applied for;
(vi) a statement of the reason for the nonuse of the water; and
(vii) any other information that the state engineer requires.
(b) (i) Upon receipt of the application, the state engineer shall publish a notice of the
application once a week for two successive weeks:
(A) in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the source of the water
supply is located and where the water is to be used; and
(B) as required in Section 
45-1-101
.
(ii) The notice shall:
(A) state that an application has been made; and
(B) specify where the interested party may obtain additional information relating to the
application.
(c) Any interested person may file a written protest with the state engineer against the
granting of the application:
(i) within 20 days after the notice is published, if the adjudicative proceeding is
informal; and
(ii) within 30 days after the notice is published, if the adjudicative proceeding is
formal.
(d) In any proceedings to determine whether the nonuse application should be
approved or rejected, the state engineer shall follow the procedures and requirements of Title
63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act.
(e) After further investigation, the state engineer may approve or reject the application.
(4) (a) The state engineer shall grant a nonuse application on all or a portion of a water
right for a period of time not exceeding seven years if the applicant shows a reasonable cause
for nonuse.
(b) A reasonable cause for nonuse includes:
(i) a demonstrable financial hardship or economic depression;
(ii) physical causes or changes that render use beyond the reasonable control of the
water right owner so long as the water right owner acts with reasonable diligence to resume or
restore the use;
[
(ii)
] 
(iii)
 the initiation of water conservation or efficiency practices, or the operation of
a groundwater recharge recovery program approved by the state engineer;
[
(iii)
] 
(iv)
 operation of legal proceedings;
[
(iv)
] 
(v)
 the holding of a water right or stock in a mutual water company without use
by any water supply entity to meet the reasonable future requirements of the public;
[
(v)
] 
(vi)
 situations where, in the opinion of the state engineer, the nonuse would assist
in implementing an existing, approved water management plan; or
[
(vi)
] 
(vii)
 the loss of capacity caused by deterioration of the water supply or delivery
equipment if the applicant submits, with the application, a specific plan to resume full use of
the water right by replacing, restoring, or improving the equipment.
(5) (a) Sixty days before the expiration of a nonuse application, the state engineer shall
notify the applicant by mail or by any form of electronic communication through which receipt
is verifiable, of the date when the nonuse application will expire.
(b) An applicant may file a subsequent nonuse application in accordance with this
section.
Section 2. Section 
73-2-27
 is amended to read:
73-2-27.
Criminal penalties.
(1) This section applies to offenses committed under:
(a) Section 
73-1-14
;
(b) Section 
73-1-15
;
(c) Section 
73-2-20
;
(d) [
Subsection
] 
Section
73-3-3
[
(9)
];
(e) Section 
73-3-26
;
(f) Section 
73-3-29
;
(g) Section 
73-5-9
;
(h) Section 
76-10-201
;
(i) Section 
76-10-202
; and
(j) Section 
76-10-203
.
(2) Under circumstances not amounting to an offense with a greater penalty under
Subsection 
76-6-106
(2)(b)(ii) or Section 
76-6-404
, violation of a provision listed in Subsection
(1) is punishable:
(a) as a felony of the third degree if:
(i) the value of the water diverted or property damaged or taken is $2,500 or greater;
and
(ii) the person violating the provision has previously been convicted of violating the
same provision;
(b) as a class A misdemeanor if:
(i) the value of the water diverted or property damaged or taken is $2,500 or greater; or
(ii) the person violating the provision has previously been convicted of violating the
same provision; or
(c) as a class B misdemeanor if Subsection (2)(a) or (b) does not apply.
Section 3. Section 
73-3-3
 is amended to read:
73-3-3.
Permanent or temporary changes in point of diversion, place of use, or
purpose of use.
(1) For purposes of this section:
(a) "Permanent change" means a change for an indefinite period of time with an intent
to relinquish the original point of diversion, place of use, or purpose of use.
(b) "Temporary change" means a change for a fixed period of time not
,
 exceeding one
year.
(2) (a) Subject to Subsection (2)(c), a person entitled to the use of water may make
permanent or temporary changes in the:
(i) point of diversion;
(ii) place of use; [
or
]
[
(iii) purpose of use for which the water was originally appropriated.
]
(iii) period of use;
(iv) nature of use; or
(v) storage.
(b) Except as provided by Section 
73-3-30
, a change may not be made if it impairs a
vested water right without just compensation.
(c) A change application on a federal reclamation project water right shall be signed
by:
(i) the local water users organization that is contractually responsible for:
(A) the operation and maintenance of the project; or
(B) the repayment of project costs; and
(ii) the record owner of the water right.
(3) A person entitled to use water shall change a point of diversion, place of use, or
[
purpose
] 
nature
 of water use, including water involved in a general adjudication or other suit,
in the manner provided in this section.
(4) (a) A person entitled to use water may not make a change unless the state engineer
approves the change application.
(b) A shareholder in a water company who seeks to make a permanent or temporary
change to a water right to which the water company is the record owner shall file a change
application in accordance with Section 
73-3-3.5
.
[
(b)
] 
(5)
 A person entitled to use water shall submit a change application
,
 upon forms
furnished by the state engineer [
and shall set forth
]
, that includes
:
[
(i)
] 
(a)
 the 
change
 applicant's name;
[
(ii)
] 
(b)
 the water right description
, including the water right number
;
[
(iii)
] 
(c)
 the water quantity;
[
(iv)
] 
(d)
 the stream or water source;
[
(v)
] 
(e)
 if applicable, the point on the stream or water source where the water is
diverted;
[
(vi)
] 
(f)
 if applicable, the point to which it is proposed to change the diversion of the
water;
[
(vii)
] 
(g)
 the place, [
purpose
] 
nature, period
, and extent of the [
present
] 
approved
 use;
[
(viii)
] 
(h)
 the place, [
purpose
] 
nature, period
, and extent of the proposed use; [
and
]
(i) if the change applicant is submitting a change application in accordance with
Section 
73-3-3.5
, the information required by Section 
73-3-3.5
;
(j) any proposed change to the storage of water; and
[
(ix)
] 
(k)
 any other information that the state engineer requires.
[
(5) (a) The state engineer shall follow the same procedures, and the rights and duties
of the applicants with respect to applications for permanent changes of point of diversion, place
of use, or purpose of use shall be the same, as provided in this title for applications to
appropriate water.
]
(6) (a) With respect to a change application for a permanent change:
(i) the state engineer shall follow the same procedures provided in this title for
approving an application to appropriate water; and
(ii) the rights and duties of a change applicant are the same as the rights and duties of a
person who applies to appropriate water under this title.
(b) The state engineer may waive notice for a permanent change application involving
only a change in point of diversion of 660 feet or less.
[
(6)
] 
(7)
 (a) The state engineer shall investigate all temporary change applications.
(b) If the state engineer finds that the temporary change will not impair a vested water
right, the state engineer shall issue an order authorizing the change.
(c) If the state engineer finds that the change sought might impair a vested water right,
before authorizing the change, the state engineer shall give notice of the application to any
person whose right may be affected by the change.
(d) Before making an investigation or giving notice, the state engineer may require the
applicant to deposit a sum of money sufficient to pay the expenses of the investigation and
publication of notice.
[
(7)
] 
(8)
 (a) Except as provided by Section 
73-3-30
, the state engineer may not reject a
permanent or temporary change application for the sole reason that the change would impair a
vested water right.
(b) If otherwise proper, the state engineer may approve a permanent or temporary
change application for part of the water involved or upon the condition that the applicant
acquire the conflicting water right 
or otherwise mitigate the impairment
.
[
(8) (a) A person holding an approved application for the appropriation of water may
change the point of diversion, place of use, or purpose of use.
]
[
(b)
] 
(9)
 A change of an approved application 
to appropriate water
 does not:
[
(i)
] 
(a)
 affect the priority of the original application 
to appropriate water
; or
[
(ii)
] 
(b)
 extend the time period within which the construction of work is to begin or be
completed.
[
(9)
] 
(10)
 Any person who changes [
or who attempts to change
] a point of diversion,
place of use, or purpose of use, either permanently or temporarily, without first applying to the
state engineer in the manner provided in this section[
: (a) obtains no right; (b)
]
,
 is guilty of [
a
crime
] 
an offense
 punishable under Section 
73-2-27
 if the change [
or attempted change
] is
made knowingly or intentionally[
; and
]
.
[
(c) is guilty of a separately punishable offense for each day of the unlawful change.
]
(11) A person who makes a permanent or temporary change before obtaining an
approved change application under this section obtains no additional water right by the change
and shall comply with the change application process.
[
(10)
] 
(12)
 (a) This section does not apply to the replacement of an existing well by a
new well drilled within a radius of 150 feet from the point of diversion of the existing well.
(b) Any replacement well must be drilled in accordance with the requirements of
Section 
73-3-28
.
Section 4. Section 
73-3-3.5
 is amended to read:
73-3-3.5.
Application for a change of point of diversion, place of use, or purpose
of use of water in a water company made by a shareholder.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Shareholder" means the owner of a share of stock, or other evidence of stock
ownership, that entitles the person to a proportionate share of water in a water company.
(b) "Water company" means
, except as described in Subsection (1)(c),
 any company,
operating for profit or not for profit, [
in which
] 
where
 a shareholder has the right to receive a
proportionate share, based on that shareholder's ownership interest, of water delivered by the
company.
(c) "Water company" does not include a public water supplier, as defined in Section
73-1-4
.
[
(2) A shareholder who seeks to change the point of diversion, place of use, or purpose
of use of the shareholder's proportionate share of water in the water company shall submit a
request for the change, in writing, to the water company. This request shall include the
following information:
]
[
(a) the details of the requested change, which may include the point of diversion,
period of use, place, or nature of use;
]
[
(b) the quantity of water sought to be changed;
]
(2) (a) A shareholder who seeks to file a change application under Section 
73-3-3
 to
make a change to some or all of the water rights represented by the shareholder's shares in a
water company shall:
(i) prepare a proposed change application on forms furnished by the state engineer; and
(ii) provide the proposed change application to the water company by personal delivery
with a signed receipt, certified mail, or electronic mail with confirmation of receipt.
(b) The water company and the shareholder shall cooperate in supplying information
relevant to preparation or correction of the shareholder's change application.
(c) In addition to the information required under Section 
73-3-3
, the proposed change
application shall include:
[
(c)
] 
(i)
 the certificate number of the stock affected by the change;
[
(d)
] 
(ii)
 a description of the land proposed to be retired from irrigation [
pursuant to
] 
in
accordance with
 Section 
73-3-3
, if the proposed change in place or nature of use of the water
involves a situation where the water was previously used for irrigation;
[
(e)
] 
(iii)
 an agreement by the shareholder to continue to pay all applicable corporate
assessments on the share affected by the change; and
[
(f)
] 
(iv)
 any other information that the water company may reasonably need to
evaluate the [
requested
] 
proposed
 change application.
[
(3) (a) A water company shall make a decision and provide written notice of that
decision on a shareholder's request for a change application within 120 days from receipt of the
request.
]
[
(b) Based on the facts and circumstances of each proposed change, a water company
may take the following action:
]
[
(i) approve the change request;
]
[
(ii) approve the change request with conditions; or
]
[
(iii) deny the change request.
]
[
(c) If the water company fails to respond to a shareholder's request for a change
application, pursuant to Subsection (3)(a), the failure to respond shall be considered to be a
denial of the request.
]
[
(d) The water company may not withhold approval if any potential damage, liability,
or impairment to the water company, or its shareholders, can be reasonably mitigated without
cost to the water company.
]
[
(e) A water company may consider the following factors in evaluating change
applications:
]
(3) (a) The water company shall respond to the proposed change application described
in Subsection (2) within 120 days after the day on which the water company receives the
proposed change application.
(b) The water company's response to the proposed change application shall be in
writing and shall:
(i) consent to the proposed change;
(ii) consent to the proposed change, subject to certain conditions described by the water
company; or
(iii) decline to consent to the proposed change, describing the reasons for declining to
consent.
(c) If the water company fails to timely respond, as described in Subsection (3)(a), the
failure to respond shall be considered the water company's consent to the proposed change
application and the shareholder may file the change application with the state engineer.
(4) (a) In reviewing a shareholder's proposed change application, a water company may
consider:
(i) [
any
] 
whether an
 increased cost to the water company or its shareholders 
results
from the proposed change
;
(ii) [
interference
] 
whether the proposed change will interfere
 with the water company's
ability to manage and distribute water for the benefit of all shareholders;
(iii) whether the proposed change represents more water than the shareholder's [
pro
rata
] 
proportionate
 share of the water company's right;
[
(iv) impairment of either
]
(iv) whether the proposed change would create preferential access to use of particular
company water rights to the detriment of other shareholders;
(v) whether the proposed change will impair
 the quantity or quality of water delivered
to other shareholders under the existing water rights of the water company, including rights to
carrier water;
[
(v)
] 
(vi)
 whether the proposed change [
would cause a violation of any
] 
violates a
statute, ordinance, regulation, or order of a court or [
governmental
] 
government
 agency;
[
(vi)
] 
(vii) if applicable,
 whether the shareholder has or can arrange for the beneficial
use of water to be retired from irrigation within the water company's service 
area
 under the
proposed change; [
or
] 
and
[
(vii)
] 
(viii)
 the cumulative effects that the approval of the change application may
have on other shareholders or water company operations.
[
(4) The water company may require that all costs associated with the change
application, including costs of submitting proof, be paid by the shareholder. (5) (a) The
]
(b) The water company may not withhold consent if any potential damage, liability, or
impairment to the water company, or its shareholders, can be reasonably mitigated without cost
to the water company.
(c) The water company may require the shareholder to pay all reasonable and necessary
costs associated with the change application, but may not impose unreasonable exactions.
(5) (a) If the water company declines to consent to the proposed change application,
stating its reasons, the shareholder may file an action in district court, seeking court review of
the reasonableness of the conditions imposed for giving consent or the reasons stated for
declining consent and a final order allowing the shareholder to file the proposed change
application with the state engineer.
(b) If the water company consents to the proposed change application subject to
conditions to which the shareholder does not agree, the shareholder may file the change
application with the state engineer as provided in Subsection (6), without waiving the
shareholder's right to contest conditions set by the water company under Subsection (3)(b)(ii).
(c) During or after the completion of the proceeding before the state engineer
commenced under Subsection (6), the shareholder may file an action in district court seeking
court review of the reasonableness of the conditions imposed by the water company for giving
consent.
(d) In an action brought under Subsection (5)(a), (b), or (c), the court:
(i) shall refer the parties to mediation under Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 2, Alternative
Dispute Resolution Act, unless one or both parties decline mediation; and
(ii) may award costs and reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party if mediation
does not occur because the other party declined to participate in mediation.
(6) If the water company consents to the proposed change, the water company fails to
respond as required by Subsection (3)(a), the court has entered an order described in
Subsection (5)(a), or the water company consents to the proposed change subject to conditions
to which the shareholder does not agree, as described in Subsection (5)(b), the shareholder may
commence an administrative proceeding by filing the change application with the state
engineer in accordance with Section 
73-3-3
 and this section.
(7) The shareholder shall include as part of the change application filed with the state
engineer under Subsection (5)(b) or (6):
(a) the water company's response to the shareholder's proposed change application;
(b) if applicable, an affidavit signed by the shareholder documenting the water
company's failure to respond in the time period described in Subsection (3)(a); or
(c) if applicable, the court order described in Subsection (5)(a).
(8) (a) The state engineer shall evaluate a shareholder's change application in the same
manner used to evaluate a change application submitted under Section 
73-3-3
, using the criteria
described in Section 73-3-8.
(b) Nothing in this section limits the authority of the state engineer in evaluating and
processing a change application, including the authority to require or allow a shareholder or
water company to submit additional relevant information, if the state engineer finds an absence
of prejudice and allows adequate time and opportunity for the other party to respond.
(9) If the state engineer approves a shareholder's change application, the state engineer
may, for shares included in the approval, require that the
 shareholder requesting the change
[
must
] be current on all water company assessments and [
agree to
] continue to pay all
reasonably
 applicable future assessments[
, except that the shareholder may choose to prepay
any portion of the water company assessments attributable to an existing debt of the water
company.
]
, with credit given to the shareholder for any cost savings to the company resulting
from the change.
[
(b) Other than prepaid assessments, the water company may require that the
shareholder continue to pay all applicable assessments.
]
[
(6) If the water company approves the requested change, with or without conditions,
the change application may be filed with the state engineer, and must:
]
[
(a) be signed on behalf of the water company; or
]
[
(b) be accompanied by written authorization from the water company assenting to the
change.
]
[
(7) (a) The state engineer may evaluate a change application authorized by a water
company under this section in the same manner and using the same criteria that he or she uses
to evaluate any other change application.
]
[
(b) Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of the state engineer in evaluating
and processing any change application.
]
[
(8) If an application authorized by a water company under this section is approved by
the state engineer, the shareholder may file requests for extensions of time to submit proof of
beneficial use under the change application without further permission of the water company.
]
[
(9) (a) Change applications approved under this section are subject to all conditions
imposed by the water company and the state engineer.
]
[
(b) If a shareholder fails to comply with all of the conditions imposed by the water
company, the water company may, after written notice to the shareholder and after allowing
reasonable time to remedy the failure, withdraw its approval of the application, and petition the
state engineer for an order canceling the change application.
]
[
(c) The water company may not revoke its approval of the change application or seek
an order canceling the application if the conditions are substantially satisfied.
]
(10) By mutual agreement only, and when the shares will rely upon a different
diversion and delivery system, the water company and the shareholder may negotiate a buyout
from the water company that may include a pro rata share of the water company's existing
indebtedness assignable to the shares.
(11) After an application has been approved by the state engineer, the shareholder may
file requests for extensions of time to submit proof of beneficial use under the change
application without further involvement of the water company.
(12) If, after a proposed change has been approved and gone into effect, a shareholder
fails to substantially comply with a condition described in Subsection (9), or any condition
reasonably imposed by the company and agreed to by the shareholder, and neglects to remedy
the failure after written notice from the water company that allows the shareholder a reasonable
opportunity to remedy the failure, no less than 90 days after the day on which the water
company gives notice, the water company may petition the state engineer to order a reversal of
the change application approval.
[
(10)
] 
(13)
 (a) The shareholder requesting the change shall have a cause of action,
including an award of actual damages incurred, against the water company if the water
company:
(i) unreasonably withholds approval of a requested change;
(ii) imposes unreasonable conditions in its approval; or
(iii) withdraws approval of a change application in a manner other than as provided in
Subsection [
(9)
] 
(12)
.
[
(b) The action referred to in Subsection (10)(a) shall be referred to mediation by the
court under Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 2, Alternative Dispute Resolution Act, unless both
parties decline mediation.
]
(b) The court may award costs and reasonable attorney fees:
(i) to the shareholder if the court finds that the water company acted in bad faith when
it declined to consent to the proposed change or conditioned its consent on excessive exactions
or unreasonable conditions; or
(ii) to the water company if it finds that the shareholder acted in bad faith in refusing to
accept conditions reasonably necessary to protect other shareholders if the shareholder's change
application is approved.
[
(c) If mediation is declined, the prevailing party to the action shall be entitled to costs
and reasonable attorney fees.
]
Section 5. 
 Coordinating H.B. 43 with H.B. 25 -- Technical amendments.
If this H.B. 43 and H.B. 25, Water Law - Application Revisions, both pass and become
law, it is the intent of the Legislature that the Office of Legislative Research and General
Counsel, in preparing the Utah Code database for publication:
(1) modify Section 
73-3-3
 to read:
"
73-3-3. Permanent or temporary changes to a water right.
(1) For purposes of this section:
(a) "Permanent change" means a change
,
 for an indefinite period of time [
with an intent
to relinquish the original point of diversion, place of use, or purpose of use.
]
, to the:
(i) point of diversion;
(ii) place of use;
(iii) period of use;
(iv) nature of use; or
(v) storage of water.
(b) (i) "Quantity impairment" means any reduction in the amount of water a person is
able to receive in order to satisfy an existing right to the use of water that would result from an
action proposed in a change application, including:
(A) diminishing the quantity of water in the source of supply for the existing right;
(B) a change in the timing of availability of water from the source of supply for the
existing right; or
(C) enlarging the quantity of water depleted by the nature of the proposed use when
compared with the nature of the currently approved use.
(ii) "Quantity impairment" does not mean a decrease in the static level of water in an
underground basin or aquifer that would result from an action proposed to be taken in a change
application, if the volume of water necessary to satisfy an existing right otherwise remains
reasonably available.
[
(b)
] 
(c)
 "Temporary change" means a change for a fixed period of time
,
 not exceeding
one year[
.
]
, to the:
(i) point of diversion;
(ii) place of use;
(iii) period of use;
(iv) nature of use; or
(v) storage of water.
(2) (a) A person who proposes to file a permanent or temporary change application
may request consultation with the state engineer, or the state engineer's designee, before filing
the application in order to review the requirements of the change application process, discuss
potential issues related to the change, and provide the applicant with information.
(b) Statements made and information presented in the consultation are not binding on
the applicant or the state engineer.
(c) The consultation described in Subsection (2)(a) may occur in the state engineer's
regional office for the region where the proposed change would occur.
[
(2)
] 
(3)
 (a) [
Subject to Subsection (2)(c), a
] 
A
 person entitled to the use of water may
make 
a
 permanent or temporary [
changes in the:
] 
change to an existing right to use water,
including a right involved in a general determination of rights or other suit, if:
[
(i) point of diversion;
]
[
(ii) place of use; or
]
[
(iii) purpose of use for which the water was originally appropriated.
]
(i) the person makes the change in accordance with this section;
[
(b) Except
] 
(ii) except
 as provided by Section 
73-3-30
, [
a
] 
the
 change [
may not be
made if it impairs a vested water
] 
does not impair an existing
 right without just
compensation[
.
] 
or adequate mitigation; and
(iii) the state engineer approves the change application, consistent with the
requirements of Section 73-3-8.
[
(c)
] 
(b)
 A change application on a federal reclamation project water right shall be
signed by:
(i) the local water users organization that is contractually responsible for:
(A) the operation and maintenance of the project; or
(B) the repayment of project costs; and
(ii) the record owner of the water right.
[
(3) A person entitled to use water shall change a point of diversion, place of use, or
purpose of water use, including water involved in a general adjudication or other suit, in the
manner provided in this section.
]
[
(4) (a) A person entitled to use water may not make a change unless the state engineer
approves the change application.
]
[
(b) A
] 
(4) (a) Before making a permanent or temporary change, a
 person entitled to
the
 use 
of
 water shall submit a change application upon forms furnished by the state engineer
[
and shall set forth:
]
.
(b) The application described in Subsection (4)(a) shall include:
(i) the applicant's name;
(ii) the water right description
, including the water right number
;
(iii) the water quantity;
(iv) the stream or water source;
(v) if applicable, the point on the stream or water source where the water is diverted;
(vi) if applicable, the point to which it is proposed to change the diversion of the water;
(vii) the place, [
purpose,
] 
nature, period,
 and extent of the [
present
] 
currently approved
use;
(viii) the place, [
purpose,
] 
nature, period,
 and extent of the proposed use; [
and
]
(ix) if the change applicant is submitting a change application in accordance with
Section 
73-3-3.5
, the information required by Section 
73-3-3.5
;
(x) any proposed change to the storage of water; and
[
(ix)
] 
(xi)
 any other information that the state engineer requires.
(c) A shareholder in a water company who seeks to make a permanent or temporary
change to a water right to which the water company is the record owner shall file a change
application in accordance with Section 
73-3-3.5
.
[
(5) (a) The state engineer shall follow the same procedures, and the rights and duties
of the applicants with respect to applications for permanent changes of point of diversion, place
of use, or purpose of use shall be the same, as provided in this title for applications to
appropriate water.
]
[
(b) The state engineer may waive notice for a permanent change application involving
only a change in point of diversion of 660 feet or less.
]
[
(6) (a) The state engineer shall investigate all temporary change applications.
]
[
(b) If the state engineer finds that the temporary change will not impair a vested water
right, the state engineer shall issue an order authorizing the change.
]
[
(c) If the state engineer finds that the change sought might impair a vested water right,
before authorizing the change, the state engineer shall give notice of the application to any
person whose right may be affected by the change.
]
[
(d) Before making an investigation or giving notice, the state engineer may require the
applicant to deposit a sum of money sufficient to pay the expenses of the investigation and
publication of notice.
]
[
(7) (a) Except as provided by Section 
73-3-30
, the state engineer may not reject a
permanent or temporary change application for the sole reason that the change would impair a
vested water right.
]
[
(b) If otherwise proper, the state engineer may approve a permanent or temporary
change application for part of the water involved or upon the condition that the applicant
acquire the conflicting water right.
]
[
(8) (a) A person holding an approved application for the appropriation of water may
change the point of diversion, place of use, or purpose of use.
]
(5) In a proceeding before the state engineer, the applicant has the burden of producing
evidence sufficient to support a reasonable belief that the change can be made in compliance
with this section and Section 73-3-8, including evidence:
(a) that the change will not cause a specific existing right to experience quantity
impairment; or
(b) if applicable, rebutting the presumption of quantity impairment described in
Subsection 73-3-8(6)(c).
[
(b)
] 
(6)
 A change of an approved application 
to appropriate water
 does not:
[
(i)
] 
(a)
 affect the priority of the original application 
to appropriate water
; or
[
(ii)
] 
(b)
 extend the time period within which the construction of work is to begin or be
completed.
[
(9)
] 
(7)
 Any person who [
changes or who attempts to change a point of diversion,
place of use, or purpose of use, either permanently or temporarily, without first applying to the
state engineer in the manner provided in this section
] 
makes a permanent or temporary change
without first filing and obtaining approval of a change application providing for such change
:
(a) obtains no right 
by the change
;
(b) is guilty of [
a crime
] 
an offense
 punishable under Section 
73-2-27
 if the change [
or
attempted change
] is made knowingly or intentionally; and
[
(c) is guilty of a separately punishable offense for each day of the unlawful change.
]
(c) shall comply with the change application process.
[
(10)
] 
(8)
 (a) This section does not apply to the replacement of an existing well by a
new well drilled within a radius of 150 feet from the point of diversion of the existing well.
(b) Any replacement well must be drilled in accordance with the requirements of
Section 
73-3-28
.
"; and
(2) modify Section 73-3-8 to read:
"
73-3-8 Approval or rejection of application -- Requirements for approval --
Application for specified period of time -- Filing of royalty contract for removal of salt or
minerals.
(1) (a) It shall be the duty of the state engineer to approve an application if 
there is
reason to believe that
:
(i) 
for an application to appropriate,
 there is unappropriated water in the proposed
source;
(ii) the proposed use will not impair existing rights or interfere with the more
beneficial use of the water;
(iii) the proposed plan
:
(A)
 is physically and economically feasible, unless the application is filed by the
United States Bureau of Reclamation[
,
]
;
 and
(B)
 would not prove detrimental to the public welfare;
(iv) the applicant has the financial ability to complete the proposed works; [
and
]
(v) the application was filed in good faith and not for purposes of speculation or
monopoly[
.
]
; and
(vi) if applicable, the application complies with a groundwater management plan
adopted under Section 
73-5-15
.
(b) [
(i)
] If the state engineer, because of information in the state engineer's possession
obtained either by the state engineer's own investigation or otherwise, has reason to believe that
an application [
to appropriate water
] will interfere with [
its
] 
the water's
 more beneficial use for
irrigation, 
municipal and industrial,
 domestic or culinary, stock watering, power or mining
development, or manufacturing, or will unreasonably affect public recreation or the natural
stream environment, or will prove detrimental to the public welfare, [
it is the state engineer's
duty to
] 
the state engineer shall
 withhold approval or rejection of the application until the state
engineer has investigated the matter.
[
(ii)
] 
(c)
 If an application does not meet the requirements of this section, it shall be
rejected.
(2) (a) An application to appropriate water for industrial, power, mining development,
manufacturing purposes, agriculture, or municipal purposes may be approved for a specific and
certain period from the time the water is placed to beneficial use under the application, but in
no event may an application be granted for a period of time less than that ordinarily needed to
satisfy the essential and primary purpose of the application or until the water is no longer
available as determined by the state engineer.
(b) At the expiration of the period fixed by the state engineer the water shall revert to
the public and is subject to appropriation as provided by this title.
(c) No later than 60 calendar days before the expiration date of the fixed time period,
the state engineer shall send notice by mail or by any form of electronic communication
through which receipt is verifiable, to the applicant of record.
(d) Except as provided by Subsection (2)(e), the state engineer may extend any limited
water right upon a showing that:
(i) the essential purpose of the original application has not been satisfied;
(ii) the need for an extension is not the result of any default or neglect by the applicant;
and
(iii) the water is still available.
(e) No extension shall exceed the time necessary to satisfy the primary purpose of the
original application.
(f) A request for extension of the fixed time period must be filed in writing in the
office of the state engineer on or before the expiration date of the application.
(3) (a) Before the approval of any application for the appropriation of water from
navigable lakes or streams of the state that contemplates the recovery of salts and other
minerals therefrom by precipitation or otherwise, the applicant shall file with the state engineer
a copy of a contract for the payment of royalties to the state.
(b) The approval of an application shall be revoked in the event of the failure of the
applicant to comply with terms of the royalty contract.
(4) (a) The state engineer shall investigate all temporary change applications.
(b) The state engineer shall:
(i) approve the temporary change if the state engineer finds there is reason to believe
that it will not impair an existing right; and
(ii) deny the temporary change if the state engineer finds there is reason to believe it
would impair an existing right.
(5) (a) With respect to a change application for a permanent change:
 (i) the state engineer shall follow the same procedures provided in this title for
approving an application to appropriate water; and
 (ii) the rights and duties of a change applicant are the same as the rights and duties of a
person who applies to appropriate water under this title.
(b) The state engineer may waive notice for a permanent change application if the
application only involves a change in point of diversion of 660 feet or less.
(c) The state engineer may condition approval of a change application to prevent an
enlargement of the quantity of water depleted by the nature of the proposed use when compared
with the nature of the currently approved use of water proposed to be changed.
(d) A condition described in Subsection (5)(c) may not include a reduction in the
currently approved diversion rate of water under the water right identified in the change
application solely to account for the difference in depletion under the nature of the proposed
use when compared with the nature of the currently approved use.
(6) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (6)(b), the state engineer shall reject a
permanent change application if the person proposing to make the change is unable to meet the
burden described in Subsection 
73-3-3
(5).
(b) If otherwise proper, the state engineer may approve a permanent or temporary
change application upon one or more of the following conditions:
(i) for part of the water involved;
(ii) that the applicant acquire a conflicting right; or
(iii) that the applicant provide and implement a plan approved by the state engineer to
mitigate impairment of an existing right.
(c) (i) There is a rebuttable presumption of quantity impairment, as defined in
Subsection 
73-3-3
(1), to the extent that, for a period of at least seven consecutive years, a
portion of the right identified in a change application has not been:
(A) diverted from the approved point of diversion; and
(B) beneficially used at the approved place of use.
(ii) The rebuttable presumption described in Subsection (6)(c)(i) does not apply if the
beneficial use requirement is excused by:
(A) Subsection 
73-1-4
(2)(e);
(B) an approved nonuse application under Subsection 
73-1-4
(2)(b);
(C) Subsection 
73-3-30
(7); or
(D) the passage of time under Subsection 
73-1-4
(2)(c)(i).
(d) The state engineer may not consider quantity impairment based on the conditions
described in Subsection (6)(c) unless the issue is raised in a:
(i) timely protest that identifies which of the protestant's existing rights the protestant
reasonably believes will experience quantity impairment; or
(ii) written notice provided by the state engineer to the applicant within 90 days after
the change application is filed.
(e) The written notice described in Subsection (6)(d)(ii) shall:
(i) specifically identify an existing right the state engineer reasonably believes may
experience quantity impairment; and
(ii) be mailed to the owner of an identified right, as shown by the state engineer's
records, if the owner has not protested the change application.
(f) The state engineer is not required to include all rights the state engineer believes
may be impaired by the proposed change in the written notice described in Subsection
(6)(d)(ii).
(g) The owner of a right who receives the written notice described in Subsection
(6)(d)(ii) may not become a party to the administrative proceeding if the owner has not filed a
timely protest.
(h) If a change applicant, all protestants, and all persons identified by the state engineer
under Subsection (6)(d)(ii) come to a written agreement regarding how the issue of quantity
impairment shall be mitigated, the state engineer may incorporate the terms of the agreement
into a change application approval.".