HB 1340: Revegetate or Dry Farm Formerly Irrigated Agricultural Land

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

The act requires a water right owner that changes the use of their water right in water division 2 from agricultural irrigation purposes to another beneficial use on or after January 1, 2027, to engage in revegetation or a conversion to dryland farming with effective erosion control and weed management on the formerly irrigated agricultural land. The act implements a procedure that includes:The identification of site-specific criteria and an associated scientific and objective evaluation methodology to measure and determine the success of the revegetation or conversion to dryland farming;A requirement that the water court appoint a third-party revegetation or dryland farming expert to conduct annual field reviews and issue reports concerning the success of the revegetation or conversion to dryland farming until the revegetation or conversion is successfully established; andA requirement that the water court:Order the water right owner to provide financial assurance to the local land use authority to cover the anticipated cost to achieve successful revegetation;Place limitations on the timing of use or percentage of the water that may be used for the new beneficial use during the revegetation or conversion to dryland farming process; orIf the water right owner has obtained a permit or entered into an intergovernmental agreement that requires financial assurance or establishes requirements governing the timing of use or percentage of the water that may be used for the new beneficial use, incorporate those requirements into the change-of-use decree.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 16 · Republican 5

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. May 29, 2026Governor Signed
2. May 28, 2026Signed by the Speaker of the House
3. May 28, 2026Signed by the President of the Senate
4. May 28, 2026Sent to the Governor
5. May 12, 2026House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
6. May 11, 2026Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
7. May 8, 2026Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
8. May 7, 2026Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole
9. May 1, 2026Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Agriculture & Natural Resources
10. April 30, 2026House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
11. April 29, 2026House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
12. April 28, 2026House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee

Showing 12 most recent of 15 actions. Full history