HB2573

THE CONTEXT: The right to withdraw or receive and use groundwater in an AMA is known as a grandfathered right. There are three categories of grandfathered rights: a) non-irrigation grandfathered rights associated with retired irrigated lands; b) non-irrigation grandfathered rights that may be sold separately from retired irrigated lands; and c) irrigation grandfathered rights ( A.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would classifies the use of groundwater for wine grapes and plants grown using hydroponics as a non-irrigation use of groundwater in an AMA, permits the watering of wine grapes or plants grown hydroponically with groundwater withdrawn pursuant to an irrigation grandfathered right in an initial AMA, and make technical and conforming changes.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to define the water, land, energy, or environmental rule for groundwater more clearly. It would classifies the use of groundwater for wine grapes and plants grown using hydroponics as a non-irrigation use of groundwater in an AMA, and would also permits the watering of wine grapes or plants grown hydroponically with groundwater withdrawn pursuant to an irrigation grandfathered right in an initial AMA, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.