CS/HB 7045 Summary

• Permits approved after July 1, 2012, for alternative water supplies are granted for a minimum of 30 years instead of 20 years, if sufficient data demonstrates conditions will be met for the permit duration.

• Permits may be extended beyond the initial 30-year term to match bond retirement timelines if the permittee issues bonds within 7 years, completes construction, and requests an extension, but extensions cannot exceed 7 additional years beyond the original expiration date.

• A 7-year extension provision applies retroactively to any 30-year permits for alternative water supplies granted between June 1, 2011, and July 1, 2012.

• Permits with outstanding bonds cannot have allocated water quantities reduced during compliance reviews unless reduction is necessary to address unanticipated resource harm or water shortage orders.

• Permits issued after July 1, 2012, may only authorize brackish or alternative water supplies and cannot use nonbrackish groundwater.

• Effective date: July 1, 2012.