HB 1061 Summary

• Increases maximum civil penalty for water rights violations from $5,000 to $25,000 per day, with irrigation appropriation permit violations capped at $5,000 per day.

• Allows the state engineer to assess civil penalties against the property of landowners responsible for violations if penalties are not paid within 30 days.

• Changes the filing deadline for water permit holders from February 31 to March 31 annually for submitting topographic, mapping, and water use information to the state engineer.

• Requires the state engineer to inform the tax commissioner of violations of industrial use permits.

• Declares the act to be an emergency measure.