AB 261 — Revises provisions relating to water. (BDR 18-470)

EXEMPTAssembly (ReprintedBill withNo. amendments adopted on April 20, 2023) FIRST REPRINT A.B.

261261–Committee ASSEMBLYon BILLNatural NOResources .CHAPTER..........

261–COMMITTEE ON NATURAL R ESOURCES M ARCH 7, 2023 ____________ Referred to Committee on Revenue SUMMARY—Revises provisions relating to water.

(BDR 18-470) FISCAL NOTE:

Effect on Local Government:

May have Fiscal Impact.

Effect on the State:

Yes.

~ EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new;

matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

requiring a plan submitted by acertain regional development authorityauthorities to include water conservation strategies;

requiring the Office of Economic Development to conduct a study relating to consumptive water use and economic development;

Existing law creates the Office of Economic Development within the Office of Developmentthe toGovernor develop and periodicallyrequires revisethe aExecutive StateDirector Planof forthe EconomicicOffice of Economic Development.

theExisting Executivelaw Directorrequires regardingeach theregional development andauthority enhancementto ofpresent certainlana plan to recruiting and marketing efforts.

(NRS 231.054) Section 2 of this bill requires each such plan presented by a planregional development authority located in a county whose population is 100,000 or more (currently Clark and Washoe Counties) to also include strategies on conserving the water resources of this State through such recruiting and marketing efforts.

SectionEXPLANATION 3– ofMatter thisin billbolded requiresitalics theis Officenew; of Economic Development to conduct a study of consumptive water use and economic development of businesses recommendations for legislation to the Governor and the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to the 83rd Session of the Nevada Legislature.

-matter *AB261_R1*between –brackets 2[omitted –material] THEis PEOPLEmaterial OFto THEbe STATEomitted. OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

- 82nd Session (2023) – 2 – (5) The manner in which this State can maximize the efficient use of the water resources of this State through the programs of economic development in this State;

[(5)] (6) A strategy to encourage the creation and expansion of businesses in this State and the relocation of businesses to this State;State;[(6)] (7) Potential partners for the implementation of the strategy, including, without limitation, the Federal Government, local governments, local and regional organizations for economic development, chambers of commerce, and private businesses, investors and nonprofit entities;

and [(6)](b) (7) Potential partners for the implementation of the strategy, including, without limitation, the Federal Government, local governments, local and regional organizations for economic development, chambers of commerce, and private businesses, inv(b) Must not include provisions for the granting of any abatement, partial abatement or exemption from taxes or any other incentive for economic development to a person who will locate or expand a business in this State that is subject to the tax imposed pursuant to NRS 362.130 or the gaming license fees imposed by the provisions of NRS 463.370.

The Executive Director may, if he or she determines that such action would aid in the implementation of the State Plan for Economic Development, remove the designation - *AB261_R1* – 3 – of any regional development authority previously designated pursuantOffice to this section and declarethat voidregional anydevelopment contractauthority.ontract between the Office5. and that regional development authority.

5.

If, in the opinion of the Executive Director, changes to the laws of this State are necessary to implement the economic development strategy for this - 82nd Session (2023) – 3 – State, the Executive Director must recommend the changes to the Governor and the Legislature.

231.054 Each1. regional development authority shall present a plan to the Executive Director [regarding] that includes the development and enhancement of a recruiting and marketing effort to attract professionals and businesses to the region of this State served by the regional development authority [.] and strategies to encourage the conservation of the water resources of this State through such effort.

Each regional development authority shall present a plan to the Executive Director [regarding] that includes the to attract professionals and businesses to the region of this State served by the regional development authority.

2.

The plan submitted pursuant to subsection 1 by a regional development authority located in a county whose population is 100,000 or more must also include strategies to encourage the conservation of the water resources of this State through such a recruiting and marketing effort.

3.

1.(Deleted by amendment.) Sec.

The Office of Economic Development shall conduct a study during the 2023-2024 interim relating to consumptive water use and economic development of businesses receiving certain abatements pursuant to NRS 360.750.

2.

The study must include, without limitation, a review of:

(a) The amount of consumptive water use per primary job created under NRS 360.750 organized by the economic sector in which the business related to the job operates;

(b) Any consumptive water analysis conducted by businesses for measurement of consumptive water use over the duration for which the abatement or partial abatement of certain property taxes is granted;

(c) Financial incentives that encourage companies to manage water efficiently;

and - *AB261_R1* – 4 – (d) Programs that are mutually beneficial for new businesses and the State that reduce water risks and operating costs related to economic development.

solicit input from persons and organizations with relevant expertise, including, without limitation:

(a) Institutions of higher education;

(b) Nonprofit organizations;