Environment (Water Quality)

AB 312 requires sellers of properties with private wells to disclose recent water quality test results to buyers before closing. The disclosure must show whether the well water meets state standards for arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and zinc, and must be based on a test conducted within 90 days prior to closing by a certified laboratory. This applies directly to residential real estate transactions involving properties with private wells. The bill mandates written disclosure of specific chemical levels and compliance status, aiming to inform buyers about potential water safety concerns.

SB 276 requires cities, counties, water authorities, and Indian tribes in Nevada to report water quality data and incident information (like sewage spills or pollution) to the state Environmental Protection Division. It mandates that local entities notify affected neighboring governments and tribes during water incidents and prohibits contracts that block such information sharing. The bill creates a standardized reporting form and ensures all reported data becomes publicly available to relevant local entities and tribes. This directly affects local governments, water agencies, and tribal governments managing water resources across Nevada.

AB 104 establishes the Nevada Voluntary Water Rights Retirement Program, allowing the state to purchase or accept donations of legal groundwater rights for retirement (e.g., to protect rivers or recharge aquifers) through a dedicated account. It sets a hard deadline: the program will stop accepting new applications or donations after June 30, 2035, and requires the State Engineer to retire any purchased rights. The bill also modifies water conservation grant programs to include funding for replacing grass with water-efficient landscaping and adjusts eligibility criteria based on median household income. Additionally, it updates temporary water permit rules, expands water reuse policies, and revises water quality standard procedures. The law aims to conserve water resources while providing clear, time-bound mechanisms for rights retirement and grant administration.

SB 83 authorizes Nevada to issue $19 million in state bonds from an existing $100 million bond authorization (approved in 2009 and extended to 2030) to fund specific environmental projects in the second phase of the Lake Tahoe Basin's Environmental Improvement Program. The bill directly affects the Lake Tahoe Basin ecosystem and Nevada taxpayers (via bond repayment), as it directs funds toward projects aimed at preserving the region's water quality, forests, and wildlife habitats. Key provisions include requiring the issuance of this specific bond amount and permitting the use of interest earned on bond proceeds to support the program. This is not a new initiative but a step to fulfill Nevada's previously committed share of costs for the long-term Tahoe environmental program, with no new state fiscal impact.