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• Introduced by Sen. Phil Rockefeller, (D-Kitsap County) (D) on January 11, 2010, expands the department of ecology's water right cost- reimbursement agreement program and requires the department to establish a list of certified water right examiners. Clarifies how a water right claim may be changed or amended. (See also HB 2508) .
  • Referred to the Senate Environment, Water & Energy Committee on January 11, 2010.
    • Substitute offered in the Senate on February 5, 2010, to allow the Department of Ecology to expedite processing of applications within the same surface water or groundwater source on its own volition, upon receipt of written requests from at least half the applicants with pending applications n the water source, upon receipt of a written request or recommendation from a watershed planning unit, or upon receipt of a resolution from a county or city legislative authority with jurisdiction over the area. The substitute passed in the Senate by voice vote on February 5, 2010.
  • Referred to the Senate Ways & Means Committee on February 5, 2010.
    • Substitute offered in the Senate on February 9, 2010, to make technical changes to fix incorrect references within the bill and clarify that the fees collected for administering the water right examiner certification program must be deposited into the Water Rights Processing Account as created in the bill. The substitute passed in the Senate by voice vote on February 9, 2010.
    • Amendment offered by Sen. Phil Rockefeller, (D-Kitsap County) (D) on February 16, 2010, to strike the bill and authorize an alternative cost reimbursement process for water right applications. Authorizes an expedited processing procedure for water right applications. Establishes criteria for qualifying as a certified water right examiner. Creates a Water Rights Processing Account to support the processing of water right applications and for the examination, certification, and renewal of certification of water right examiners.
• Passed in the Senate (46 to 2) on February 16, 2010, to provide the department of ecology with the necessary tools to eliminate the backlog of water right applications while retaining the staff at the department with expertise in processing permit applications. Creates the water rights processing account. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the House on February 17, 2010.
  • Referred to the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee on February 17, 2010.
  • Referred to the House General Government Appropriations Committee on February 24, 2010.
    • Amendment offered in the House on February 25, 2010, allows the cost for each applicant for conducting a coordinated cost-reimbursement agreement to be based primarily on the proportionate quantity of water requested by each applicant. It also allows the DOE to recover costs associated with cost-reimbursement. The amendment requires the DOE to also post notice on its web site, in addition to other notice requirements. The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on February 25, 2010.
  • Referred to the House Ways & Means Committee on February 26, 2010.
  • Referred to the House Rules Committee on March 1, 2010.
    • Amendment offered by Rep. Brian Blake, (D-Aberdeen) (D) on March 4, 2010, clarifies that the department of ecology can also conduct proofs of examination. Allows the department of ecology to request corrections in an initial proof of examination. Clarifies that nothing in this act affects or diminishes the processing of water right applications under any other existing authority. Makes technical changes as well. The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on March 4, 2010.
    • Amendment offered by Rep. Hans Dunshee, (D-Snohomish) (D) on March 4, 2010, Creates a water rights processing and dam safety account for the processing of water right applications and change applications, and the safety inspection of hydraulic works and plans and specifications. Adjusts fees relating to the processing of water right applications and change applications. Creates a permit exempt well registry with a registration fee for new wells. Requires the Washington state department of ecology (DOE) to adjust the water right application fees on a periodic basis to reflect the direct administrative costs incurred in the processing of water right applications and change applications and the safety inspection of hydraulic works and plans and specifications. The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on March 4, 2010.
    • Amendment offered by Rep. Jeff Morris, (D-Mt. Vernon) (D) and Rep. Kevin Van De Wege, (D-Sequim) (D) on March 4, 2010, changes the examination fee for the examination of an application for a permit to appropriate water or for an application to change, transfer, or amend an existing water right from $100 per cubic foot per second (cfs) to $35 per cfs and changes the maximum amount from $50,000 to $35,000. Removes the section on permit exempt wells and their required registration and fee. Establishes a hardship grant program in the department of ecology to assistant applicants in the payment of fees. Prohibits metering on any permit exempt well constructed prior to the effective date of the section used for single or group domestic uses. The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on March 4, 2010.
• Passed in the House (51 to 47) on March 4, 2010, authorizes an alternative cost-reimbursement process for water right applications. It creates a Water Rights Processing Account to support the processing of water right applications and for the examination, certification, and renewal of certification of water right examiners. The bill adjusts fees relating to the processing of water right applications and change applications and establishes a hardship grant program in the Department of Ecology to assistant applicants in the payment of application fees. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the Senate on March 10, 2010. Failed in the Senate by voice vote on March 10, 2010.
• Received in the House on March 11, 2010.
  • Amendment offered by Rep. Brian Blake, (D-Aberdeen) (D) on March 11, 2010, allows the cost for each applicant for conducting a coordinated cost-reimbursement agreement to be based primarily on proportionate quantity of water requested by each applicant, but allows for adjustment if it appears that the application will require a disproportionately greater amount of time and effort to process due to its complexity. Provides that only Ecology may approve or deny an application processed under costreimbursement. Allows Ecology to recover costs associated with cost-reimbursement. Allows Ecology to use the work of a prequalified consultant done prior to the initiation of the costreimbursement process. The amendment requires posting of notice on Ecology's website. The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on March 11, 2010.
• Passed in the House (96 to 1) on March 11, 2010, authorizes an alternative cost-reimbursement process for water right applications a well as an expedited processing procedure for water right applications. The bill establishes criteria for qualifying as a certified water right examiner. It also creates a Water Rights Processing Account to support the processing of water right applications and for the examination, certification, and renewal of certification of water right examiners. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the Senate on March 11, 2010, authorizes an alternative cost-reimbursement process for water right applications. Authorizes an expedited processing procedure for water right applications. Passed in the Senate (46 to 2) on March 11, 2010. [Vote Details and Comments]