Senate Bill No. 362-Committee on Natural Resources
May 6, 1997
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Referred to Committee on Natural Resources
SUMMARY--Makes appropriation for study of issues relating to changing uses of rural land and water supplies. (BDR S-1014)
FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: No.
Effect on the State or on Industrial Insurance: Contains Appropriation not included in Executive Budget.
EXPLANATION - Matter in italics is new; matter in brackets [ ] is material to be omitted.
AN ACT relating to natural resources; requiring the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada to cause to be conducted a study of the issues relating to the changing uses of rural land and water supplies; making an appropriation; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
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Section 1 1. The Board of Regents of the University of Nevada shall cause to be conducted a study of the economic aspects of issues relating to the use of rural land and water supplies. The study must include an assessment of:
(a) The economic effect on this state of water and land transfers by ranchers to mining and milling operations, including the:
(1) Extent to which increased mining operations create positive economic contributions to the regional economy in terms of income and employment; and
(2) Effect on production of ranches in the area;
(b) The historical and projected ground water withdrawals and the impact on affected acres of rangelands;
(c) Whether the water table is being lowered in these areas as a result of the increased pumping of ground water, to the extent data is available, and whether any of this water can be used for agricultural purposes and the economic gains that might occur as a result; and
(d) The effect of land and associated water purchases with subsequent land transfers to government agencies on the economy of the agricultural sector including an analysis of the:
(1) Extent of such transfers;
(2) Loss of riparian lands; and
(3) Projected effect on agriculture.
2. To the extent possible, the study must be conducted in coordination with appropriate agencies in other states that have had experience with economic impact assessment.
3. The study required by this section must be conducted in such a manner as to preserve the confidentiality of any person from whom information is obtained unless the person consents to the disclosure of his identity.
4. The Board of Regents of the University of Nevada shall report the results of the study and any recommended legislation to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for distribution to the 70th session of the Nevada Legislature.
Sec. 2 1. There is hereby appropriated from the state general fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada for the Department of Applied Economics and Statistics of the University of Nevada, Reno, the sum of $120,000 to conduct the study required by section 1 of this act.
2. Any remaining balance of the appropriation made by subsection 1 must not be committed for expenditure after the project is completed and reverts to the state general fund as soon as all payments of money committed have been made.
Sec. 3 This act becomes effective upon passage and approval or on June 30, 1997, whichever occurs earlier.