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AB 190

Relating to: obtaining attorney fees and costs under the state’s public records law when an authority voluntarily or unilaterally releases a contested record after an action has been filed in court.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Scott Allen and 22 co-sponsors

Creates a Fund for Hydrological Studies to pay 50% upfront grants for small counties’ studies, with remaining costs covered by the fund or alternatives if funds are insufficient.

Referred to committee on Rules
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Bill Summary · AB 190

AB 190 — Summary (Introduced Jan. 8, 2025)

Title: Revises provisions relating to water. (BDR 48-886)

Quick summary

AB 190 would create a dedicated Fund for Hydrological Studies to help pay for hydrological studies that the State Engineer requires in smaller counties (defined in the bill as counties with population under 100,000). The bill shifts the cost-sharing for those studies so applicants pay 50% up front and the State Engineer makes a matching grant from the new Fund for the other 50%, with a multi-tiered fallback if the Fund lacks sufficient balance. The State Engineer would be authorized to adopt implementing regulations. The bill also makes conforming amendments to existing statutes governing hydrological studies and appropriates money to the new Fund.

Important note: the text provided mixes jurisdictional references (covers California at the header but contains Nevada statutory citations — NRS — and “The People of the State of Nevada”). The substantive provisions appear drafted for Nevada law (NRS citations).

Key provisions

  • Creates the Fund for Hydrological Studies as a special revenue fund in the State Treasury.
  • For hydrological studies required by the State Engineer that are to be conducted in counties with population <100,000:
    • Applicant must pay a cash deposit equal to 50% of the study’s cost before the study is conducted.
    • The State Engineer shall make a grant from the Fund equal to the applicant’s deposit to cover the remaining 50%.
  • If the Fund lacks sufficient money:
    • The State Engineer will attempt to use the existing Account for Studies Concerning Water to cover remaining costs.
    • If both sources are insufficient, the applicant may (a) pay the remaining cost in cash, or (b) withdraw the application and receive a refund of any deposit.
  • No study by the State Engineer (or designee) may begin until the full cost is paid under these rules.
  • Money in the Fund is restricted to defraying the costs of qualifying hydrological studies; interest accrues to the Fund and balances do not revert at fiscal year end.
  • State Engineer may adopt regulations to implement the section.
  • Conforming amendments to NRS 533.368 and 533.369 are included; the bill appropriates money to the Fund.

Who would be affected

  • Applicants seeking approval to apply water to beneficial use where the State Engineer requires a hydrological study in small counties (population <100,000).
  • State Engineer’s office (administration, grant disbursement, regulatory authority).
  • Local counties and stakeholders in rural/smaller jurisdictions where studies are required.
  • Consultants and contractors who perform hydrological studies.

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • Fiscal note: bill “contains appropriation not included in Executive Budget.” It states “Effect on Local Government: No.”
  • Legislative actions: passed the Assembly (3/20/2025), transmitted to the Senate and assigned to committee. Final recorded status: “(Pursuant to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.1, no further action allowed.)” (4/12/2025), indicating no further legislative action was permitted under that rule as of that date.
  • The bill authorizes the appropriation and use of new and existing study-account funds; exact appropriation amount appears in the bill text (section 4) but was not included in the excerpt.

Observations / Issues

  • The provided documents contain inconsistent jurisdictional language (California header vs. Nevada statutory format and citations). Users should verify the intended jurisdiction and consult the official legislative source for final text and appropriation amounts.

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

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