Sen. Murdock’s voluntary five-year flex allocation bill advances with unanimous committee vote

Senator Murdock said Senate Bill 1928 would establish a five-year flex allocation program beginning Jan. 1, 2027, intended to reduce water use by giving permit holders a voluntary way to measure and manage their withdrawals. "It establishes a 5 year flex allocation starting 01/01/2027," Murdock said, adding that the program is voluntary and that participants "have to put a meter on their well."

Murdock told the committee the bill follows examples in other states — he cited Nebraska — and emphasized that the program does not require new permitting for participants. He said the original language he filed included a 200% annual cap, which the committee substitute reduced to 150 percent after consultations with the House author and colleagues. "We've reduced that down to 150 and... this is just working with other members here to try to come up with the best plan that everybody can swallow," he said.

Murdock moved a do-pass recommendation and yielded for questions. The motion was seconded by Senator Rader. Clark called the roll and the committee recorded 10 ayes and 0 nays; the chair declared Senate Bill 1928 to have passed the committee.

The sponsor and the committee did not adopt amendments during this hearing; Murdock said he will continue to work with the House author and other stakeholders as the measure advances. The committee adjourned following the second bill’s passage.