House Expected to Vote on Tipton’s Water Rights Bill Tomorrow

U.S. Chamber of Commerce lists H.R. 3189 as a KEY VOTE

WASHINGTON—Congressman Scott Tipton’s (R-CO) legislation to protect private water rights from uncompensated federal takings is expected to receive a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives as early as tomorrow (March 13). Learn more about the Water Rights Protection Act (H.R. 3189) HERE.

The floor debate on the bill is anticipated to begin around 12:30 PM (MT) on Thursday, and can be viewed LIVE HERE. Votes on the bill are currently expected around 3:00 PM (MT).

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has listed H.R. 3189 as a KEY VOTE for its legislative scorecard.

The Water Rights Protection Act:

• Prohibits agencies from implementing a permit condition that requires the transfer of privately-held water rights to the federal government in order to receive or renew a permit for the use of land;
• Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from imposing other conditions that require the transfer of water rights without just compensation;
• Upholds longstanding federal deference to state water law;
• Has no cost to taxpayers.

Endorsements to date (41): U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Ski Areas Association, American Farm Bureau, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Family Farm Alliance, National Water Resources Association, Public Lands Council, National Association of Conservation Districts, Pacific Northwest Ski Area Association, California Ski Industry Association, Colorado Water Congress, Colorado Ski Country USA, Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, Colorado River Water Conservation District, Southwestern Water Conservation District, Rio Grande Water Conservation District, Rio Grande Watershed Association of Conservation Districts, Montrose County Commissioners, Mesa County Commissioners, Montezuma County Commissioners, Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company, Garfield County Commissioners, Conejos County Commissioners, Rio Blanco County Commissioners, San Luis Valley Commissioners, Gunnison County Commissioners, Rio Grande County Commissioners, Routt County Commissioners, Aspen Ski Company, Durango Mountain Resort, Crested Butte Mountain Resort, San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District, Center Conservation District, the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District, Colorado Association of Conservation Districts, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Douglas Creek Conservation District, White River Conservation District, Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce and CLUB 20.