House Bill No. 1437 Summary

• Requires permits for subsurface water management systems covering 80 acres or more of land area, with permit applications submitted to water resource district boards and a fee up to $150 charged to applicants.

• Establishes notification and approval procedures including mandatory notice to downstream landowners within one mile of system outlets, with 30-day approval timelines and deemed approval if districts fail to act within 60 days.

• Creates new requirements for smaller systems (less than 80 acres) to notify water resource districts of outlet locations and flow directions, with specific installation standards for pump structures, erosion controls, and closure during critical flood periods.

• Allows water resource districts to attach reasonable conditions to permits addressing outlet locations, erosion control, control structures, and requirements for downstream property owners to be included in assessment districts for assessment drains.

• Makes violation of permitting requirements an infraction and provides that installation without permit makes the person liable for all damages caused by the system; Section 3 expires December 31, 2022.