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LC 4119

Generally revise water law

2025 Regular Session

LC 4119 aims to broadly revise state water law to modernize administration, clarify water rights, and boost drought planning; the draft died in process (May 2025).

(LC) Draft Died in Process
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Bill Summary · LC 4119

Summary of LC 4119 — Generally revise water law

Note: The bill text is not provided here. This summary reflects the information available (bill metadata and status) and outlines what is known, as well as commonly associated implications of a broad water-law revision.

Executive Summary

  • Bill Number: LC 4119
  • Title: Generally revise water law
  • Subject: Water
  • Status: Draft died in process (LC). Introduced December 15, 2024. The most recent action shows the draft died in process on May 22, 2025. Earlier actions indicated the draft was placed on hold and a drafter was assigned.

Legislative History (Key Dates)

  • 2024-12-15: Draft On Hold; Drafter Assigned
  • 2024-12-15: Drafter Assigned
  • 2025-05-22: Draft Died in Process

Note: “Died in Process” typically means the draft did not advance to a full bill passage track. No text of the proposed revisions is provided here.

Purpose and Intent (Based on Title)

  • The bill’s title, “Generally revise water law,” indicates an intent to undertake a broad, comprehensive update or reform of the state’s water statutes. Such revisions commonly aim to modernize administration, align with current water demands, clarify rights and responsibilities, and improve responsiveness to drought, climate variability, and ecological needs. However, the exact scope, goals, and policy directions cannot be determined from the available information.

Key Provisions (Not Available)

  • The actual provisions, definitions, and operative language are not available. Consequently, specific changes to water rights, permitting processes, groundwater management, water quality, funding mechanisms, enforcement, or regulatory structures cannot be confirmed for this bill.

Potential Impacts (If Enacted)

  • In a general water-law revision, typical impacts might include:
    • Updated definitions and scope of water rights, priorities, and exemptions.
    • Revisions to permitting timelines, application procedures, and administrative processes.
    • Enhanced groundwater management, drought planning, and demand-reduction strategies.
    • Revised funding, fee structures, or bonding authority for water projects.
    • Strengthened protections for ecological flows, environment, and public health.
    • Clarified enforcement, penalties, and compliance mechanisms.
  • The actual impact would depend on the final text, if reintroduced, and the specific provisions enacted.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Water users (agricultural, industrial, municipal, domestic), water utilities, environmental and conservation groups, state and local agencies administering water resources, and potentially landowners with water rights.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill was introduced on December 15, 2024, with a drafter assigned the same day and the draft placed on hold shortly thereafter.
  • The latest status indicates the draft died in process on May 22, 2025, suggesting it did not advance to committee consideration or floor action in its current form.
  • Without the text, further procedural steps (reintroduction, amendments, or new draft) cannot be forecasted.

Next Steps for Interested Readers

  • Monitor official legislative portals for any new LC 4119 text or reintroduction.
  • Check committee assignments, hearing schedules, and floor calendars for updates related to water-law reform.
  • If the bill text becomes available, review the exact provisions to assess changes, affected parties, and potential fiscal impacts.

If you’d like, I can update this summary immediately upon release of the bill’s actual text and provisions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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