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LC 4045

Generally revise water laws

2025 Regular Session

LC 4045 would broadly revise state water laws to modernize administration of water rights, permits, and quality standards; the bill died in process.

(LC) Draft Died in Process
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Bill Summary · LC 4045

Legislative Bill Summary — LC 4045: Generally revise water laws

Overview

  • Bill Number: LC 4045
  • Title: Generally revise water laws
  • Subject: Water
  • Status: Draft (LC) Died in Process
  • Introduced: December 15, 2024
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

  • The title indicates an effort to undertake a broad revision of the state’s water laws. The aim would typically be to streamline administration, modernize terminology, and address contemporary water management challenges. The exact policy goals and reforms would depend on the bill’s text, which is not provided in the available information.

Key Provisions (as of available information)

  • The specific provisions are not publicly provided here. Given the scope implied by the title, potential areas such a revision could cover (in generic terms) include:
    • Water rights administration (allocation, transfers, changes in use, and priority rules)
    • Permitting and licensing for water withdrawal, use, and discharges
    • Groundwater and surface water management, including drought response and conservation measures
    • Water quality standards, protections, and enforcement mechanisms
    • Fees, funding, and governance authority for water agencies or departments
    • Intergovernmental coordination, regional planning, and roles of local governments
    • Updated definitions and terminology to reflect current practice
  • Readers should note that these are common components of broad water law reforms; the exact text would determine the precise changes and their effects.

Affected Parties and Stakeholders

  • Water users and permittees (municipal, agricultural, industrial, and commercial)
  • Groundwater and surface water managers
  • State and local government agencies responsible for water resources and environmental protection
  • Public and environmental interest groups
  • General public, particularly downstream users and communities relying on water resources

Procedural History and Timeline

  • 2024-12-15: Drafter Assigned (initial drafting activity)
  • 2025-02-08: Draft On Hold (temporarily paused)
  • 2025-05-22: Draft Died in Process (did not advance in the current legislative process)
  • Status indicates the bill did not move forward in its current form during the session; there is no indication of future action unless reintroduced.

Next Steps and How to Track

  • To understand the exact changes proposed, obtain the bill text, any fiscal impact statements, and committee reports if reintroduced.
  • Monitor future sessions for a reintroduction or amendments to a similar measure.
  • Stakeholders should review associated legislative materials for detailed provisions, timelines, and implementation plans if a new version is introduced.

This summary reflects the information available for LC 4045 as of the stated dates and notes that the bill’s specific provisions are not publicly provided here.

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

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