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AB134
AB134: Rules for Water Conservation Plans
Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 1:27 AM
In one sentence
This law allows people with approved water rights in Nevada to create voluntary plans to save water without losing their legal right to use that water.
What it does
- Allows holders of perfected water rights to submit a conservation plan to the State Engineer for approval.
- Requires these plans to include details like how much water will be saved and states they are voluntary.
- Protects water rights from being lost or abandoned while a person follows an approved conservation plan.
- Prohibits changing where, how, or when water is used during the time the conservation plan is active.
- Requires new water permit applications to not conflict with existing rights that have these plans in place.
Who it affects
- People who hold perfected water rights and want to save water temporarily.
- The State Engineer, who must review and approve the conservation plans without charging a fee.
- Applicants seeking new permits to use groundwater or surface water in designated basins.
Limits and unknowns
- A conservation plan can last no longer than 10 years at a time, though it may be renewed.
- People cannot change where they take their water from or how they use it while the plan is active.
- The law does not specify an effective date in this text.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Perfected Water Right
- A legal right to use water that has been officially finalized by a certificate from the state or a court order.
- Water Conservation Plan
- An approved document describing how a person will temporarily reduce their water use without losing their rights.
- State Engineer
- The state official responsible for managing and approving the use of water in Nevada.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
Establishes provisions relating to water conservation. (BDR 48-379)