state lands; leases; groundwater use

HB 2477 requires lessees of agricultural state land outside designated water management zones to pay an annual fee based on groundwater use. It mandates that lessees report well locations, annual water withdrawal volumes, and specific irrigation uses to the department by March 31 each year. Fees collected must be deposited into the appropriate beneficiary fund, with the legislature stating fees should reflect groundwater's fair market value. The bill directly affects agricultural lessees on state land outside active management areas or irrigation non-expansion zones, adding reporting and fee requirements for groundwater irrigation.