HB 2647 Summary

• Allows landowners with irrigation grandfathered rights in active management areas to permanently retire irrigated land and retain a physical availability credit for non-irrigation water use.

• Physical availability credit amount equals the lesser of: current maximum groundwater allowed under the grandfathered right, or three acre-feet multiplied by water duty acres divided by irrigation acres.

• Credits must remain appurtenant to original irrigation acres and water must be delivered by a municipal provider within its service area, with the provider withdrawing groundwater from its own service area.

• Excess credits beyond the original irrigation acres' water demand can be used anywhere within the municipal provider's service area.

• Director must include these physical availability credits when determining assured water supply certifications for municipal providers, recognizing water savings from transitioning irrigation land to non-irrigation uses.