reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 533 - Adjudication of Vested Water Rights; Appropriation of Public Waters › NRS 533.525 - Stored water may be conveyed through streams and reclaimed; conditions.

Any water stored for irrigation or other beneficial purposes may be turned into the channel of any natural stream or watercourse, and mingled with its waters, and then be reclaimed, but, in reclaiming it, water already appropriated by others shall not be diminished in quantity.
[1:49:1899; C § 424; RL § 4715; NCL § 8238]
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 533 - Adjudication of Vested Water Rights; Appropriation of Public Waters › NRS 533.535 - Consent to use of Lake Tahoe by United States for reservoir purposes in connection with Truckee-Carson reclamation project.

1. For the purpose of aiding the Truckee-Carson reclamation project carried out by the Reclamation Service of the United States of America, under the Act of Congress approved June 17, 1902 (c. 1093, 32 Stat. 388), known as the Reclamation Act, and acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto, consent is hereby given to the use by the United States of America of Lake Tahoe, situated partly in the State of California and partly in the State of Nevada, and the waters, bed, shores and capability of use for reservoir purposes thereof, in such manner and to such extent as the United States of America through its lawful agencies shall think proper for such purpose, and as fully as the State of Nevada could use the same.
2. The consent hereby given is without prejudice to any existing rights that persons or corporations may have in Lake Tahoe or the Truckee River.
[1:48:1913; 1919 RL p. 3306; NCL § 8239]
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 533 - Adjudication of Vested Water Rights; Appropriation of Public Waters › NRS 533.540 - Procedure for refund of water district’s money; conditions.

1. Whenever, in the case of any order of determination of relative rights of claimants or appropriators of the waters of the Carson River and its forks, affecting the water districts mentioned and referred to in the preamble of chapter 19, Statutes of Nevada 1931, or in any like case affecting the Carson River or its forks directly, the State Engineer is or shall be prohibited from or lawfully prevented from administering such stream system under the orders or protection of any court, or prohibited from or lawfully prevented from certifying claims against water district funds, and the appropriate boards of county commissioners are unable to approve bills for such claims, and payment of such claims cannot be made out of such funds, and by reason of any of these things moneys and balances remain in such funds, it shall be lawful to refund such moneys and balances, and the appropriate boards of county commissioners are authorized and directed to refund the same.
2. The refunds mentioned in subsection 1 shall be made in the following manner. Whenever it shall appear to a board of county commissioners of any county that there remain water district funds in the county treasury, collected for the payment of claims and expenses in water districts in connection with the State Engineer’s administration of waters and water rights affecting the Carson River as set forth in the preamble of chapter 19, Statutes of Nevada 1931, or in any like case directly affecting the Carson River and its forks, and that there is no lawful authority to disburse the same or to refund the same to those who paid the same, as described in the preamble of chapter 19, Statutes of Nevada 1931, the board of county commissioners of any such county is hereby authorized and directed to refund the moneys to the individuals and persons who paid the same in the proportion and extent, so near as practicable, as the funds and moneys were collected from and paid by the claimants and water users concerned. The county officers shall disburse such funds upon orders of the board of county commissioners out of such funds and not otherwise.
3. If any person shall feel aggrieved by the action taken, or the failure to act, of any such board of county commissioners, respecting any such refund or repayment, an action may be prosecuted thereon for and on behalf of any such person against the respective county as in the case of rejected claims.
[1:19:1931; 1931 NCL § 8256] + [2:19:1931; 1931 NCL § 8256.01] + [3:19:1931; 1931 NCL § 8256.02]
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 533 - Adjudication of Vested Water Rights; Appropriation of Public Waters › NRS 533.545 - Hearings before State Engineer: Issuance and enforcement of subpoenas.

1. Whenever the State Engineer is authorized or required by law to conduct a hearing, the State Engineer may issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses before the State Engineer, together with all books, memoranda, papers and other documents relative to the matters for which the hearing is called, and take depositions within or without the State, as the circumstances of the case may require.
2. The district court in and for the county in which any hearing is being conducted by the State Engineer or the designee of the State Engineer may compel the attendance of witnesses, the giving of testimony and the production of books and papers as required by any subpoena issued by the State Engineer.
3. If a witness refuses to attend or testify or produce any papers required by the subpoena, the State Engineer may report to the district court in and for the county in which the hearing is pending by petition, setting forth:
(a) That due notice has been given of the time and place of attendance of the witness or the production of the books and papers;
(b) That the witness has been subpoenaed in the manner prescribed in this section; and
(c) That the witness has failed and refused to attend or produce the papers required by the subpoena before the State Engineer or the designee of the State Engineer in the hearing named in the subpoena, or has refused to answer questions propounded to the witness in the course of the hearing,
and asking for an order of the court compelling the witness to attend and testify or produce the books or papers before the State Engineer or the designee of the State Engineer.
4. The court, upon petition of the State Engineer, shall enter an order directing the witness to appear before the court at a time and place to be fixed by the court in the order, and show cause why the witness has not attended or testified or produced the books or papers before the State Engineer or the designee of the State Engineer. The time for the appearance may not be later than 10 days after the date of the order. A certified copy of the order must be served upon the witness. If it appears to the court that the subpoena was regularly issued by the State Engineer, the court may thereupon enter an order that the witness appear before the State Engineer or the designee of the State Engineer at the time and place fixed in the order and testify or produce the required books or papers. If the witness fails to obey the order, the witness must be dealt with as for contempt of court.
(Added to NRS by 1989, 406)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 533 - Adjudication of Vested Water Rights; Appropriation of Public Waters › NRS 533.550 - Sale or lease of water right by public body for more than 5-year term; exception.

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as otherwise provided in NRS 533.560, a public body shall not sell or lease for a term of more than 5 years a water right owned by the public body unless the public body, after holding at least one public hearing at which public comment was solicited, has issued written findings that:
(a) The sale or lease of the water right is consistent with the prudent, long-term management of the water resources within the jurisdiction of the public body;
(b) The sale or lease of the water right will not deprive residents and businesses within the jurisdiction of the public body of reasonable access to water resources for growth and development;
(c) The sale or lease of the water right is a reasonable means of promoting development and use of the water right; and
(d) The means by which the water right is sold or leased reasonably ensures that the public body will receive the actual value of the water right or comparable economic benefits.
2. As used in this section, "public body" means the State or a county, city, town, school district or any public agency of this State or its political subdivisions. The term does not include a water district organized pursuant to a special act of the Legislature or a water authority organized as a political subdivision created by a cooperative agreement or created by a special act of the Legislature.
(Added to NRS by 2005, 1385; A 2007, 3286; 2011, 819)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 533 - Adjudication of Vested Water Rights; Appropriation of Public Waters › NRS 533.560 - Lease of water right by public body to owner or holder of water right who exceeds entitled amount of water.

1. A public body may lease a water right owned by the public body to an owner or holder of a water right who, as determined by the State Engineer, is exceeding the amount of water to which the owner or holder is entitled.
2. As used in this section, "public body" means the State or a county, city, town, school district or any public agency of this State or its political subdivisions. The term includes, without limitation, a water district organized pursuant to a special act of the Legislature or a water authority organized as a political subdivision created by a cooperative agreement or created by a special act of the Legislature.
(Added to NRS by 2011, 819)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 533 - Adjudication of Vested Water Rights; Appropriation of Public Waters › NRS 533.565 - Dedication of right to appropriate water: Requirements; exceptions.

1. Before a supplier of water may require the dedication of a right to appropriate water in order to ensure a sufficient supply of water to provide new or modified water service to one or more parcels, the dedication requirement must:
(a) Be required pursuant to an ordinance, rule, regulation or any other requirement adopted by the supplier of water;
(b) Be based on reliable data and procedures estimating demand;
(c) Consider any requirements for a sustainable water supply; and
(d) Consider historic usage by similar existing water services.
2. If a right to appropriate water has been dedicated pursuant to subsection 1 in connection with the approval of a final map filed pursuant to the provisions of NRS 278.010 to 278.630, inclusive, a supplier of water may not reduce the rate of diversion of the right to appropriate water that has been dedicated unless the State Engineer approves the reduction.
3. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a supplier of water may not sell, lease, convey or transfer a right to appropriate water that has been dedicated pursuant to subsection 1. This subsection does not apply to:
(a) Mergers and acquisitions of a water system owned or operated by a utility;
(b) Sales, leases, conveyances or transfers by the supplier of water to:
(1) Develop, improve or maintain the availability and reliability of the water supply; and
(2) Further the sustainable and efficient management of the water supply; or
(c) Settlements of judicial or administrative proceedings concerning a water system owned or operated by a utility.
4. As used in this section:
(a) "Final map" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 278.0145.
(b) "Modified water service" means a change or alteration to:
(1) The quantity of water delivered to one or more parcels;
(2) The capacity to deliver water to one or more parcels; or
(3) Any facility of the supplier of water necessitated by construction on one or more parcels.
(c) "Supplier of water" includes, without limitation:
(1) Any county, city, town, local improvement district, general improvement district and water conservancy district;
(2) Any water district, water system, water project or water planning and advisory board created by a special act of the Legislature;
(3) A public utility; and
(4) Any other public or private entity,
that supplies water for municipal, industrial or domestic purposes.
(Added to NRS by 2019, 2530)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.010 - Definitions.

1. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 534.0105 to 534.0175, inclusive, have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.
2. As used in this chapter, the terms "underground water" and "groundwater" are synonymous.
[Part 2:178:1939; A 1947, 52; 1949, 128; 1955, 328]—(NRS A 1957, 714; 1971, 867; 1981, 658; 1985, 522, 1302; 1987, 1776)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.011 - "Area of active management" defined.

"Area of active management" means an area:
1. In which the State Engineer is conducting particularly close monitoring and regulation of the water supply because of heavy use of that supply; and
2. Which has received that designation by the State Engineer pursuant to NRS 534.030.
(Added to NRS by 1987, 1770; A 1989, 598)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.013 - "Domestic use" and "domestic purposes" defined.

"Domestic use" or "domestic purposes" extends to culinary and household purposes directly related to:
1. A single-family dwelling; and
2. An accessory dwelling unit for a single-family dwelling if provided for in an applicable local ordinance,
including, without limitation, the watering of a family garden and lawn and the watering of livestock and any other domestic animals or household pets, if the amount of water drawn does not exceed the maximum amount set forth in NRS 534.180 for exemption from the application of this chapter.
(Added to NRS by 1987, 1770; A 1999, 1184; 2007, 842)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.015 - "Recharged water" defined.

"Recharged water" means water that reaches or percolates into an aquifer or system of aquifers:
1. Through natural processes;
2. By secondary recharge as a result of beneficial uses; or
3. Artificially through facilities specifically constructed for that purpose.
(Added to NRS by 1987, 1770)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.0165 - "Waste" defined.

"Waste" means causing, suffering or permitting any artesian well to discharge water unnecessarily above or below the surface of the ground so that the waters thereof are lost for beneficial use or in any canal or ditch conveying water from a well where the loss of water in transit is more than 20 percent of the amount of the water discharged from the well.
(Added to NRS by 1987, 1770)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.0175 - "Well drilling" and "drilling a well" defined.

"Well drilling" or "drilling a well" are synonymous, and mean drilling or boring new wells, placing casing in wells, cleaning and repairing existing wells, cementing wells and doing all other things normally associated with the construction or rehabilitation of wells.
(Added to NRS by 1987, 1770)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.020 - Underground waters belong to public and are subject to appropriation for beneficial use; declaration of legislative intent.

1. All underground waters within the boundaries of the State belong to the public, and, subject to all existing rights to the use thereof, are subject to appropriation for beneficial use only under the laws of this State relating to the appropriation and use of water and not otherwise.
2. It is the intention of the Legislature, by this chapter, to prevent the waste of underground waters and pollution and contamination thereof and provide for the administration of the provisions thereof by the State Engineer, who is hereby empowered to make such rules and regulations within the terms of this chapter as may be necessary for the proper execution of the provisions of this chapter.
[1:178:1939; 1931 NCL § 7993.10]
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.025 - Removal of underground waters to alleviate hazards caused by secondary recharge is beneficial use.

The removal of groundwater from any basin in Nevada, to alleviate potential hazards to persons and property resulting from the rise of groundwater caused by secondary recharge, is hereby declared to be a beneficial use if it is accomplished pursuant to the terms and conditions of a waiver issued pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection 2 of NRS 534.050.
(Added to NRS by 1987, 1776)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.039 - Perennial yield of basin designated as critical management area: Duty of State Engineer to affirm, modify and review.

1. If the State Engineer designates a basin as a critical management area pursuant to subsection 7 of NRS 534.110, the State Engineer shall, in the order designating the critical management area, affirm or modify the perennial yield of the designated basin.
2. The State Engineer may, by order, modify the perennial yield of a basin set forth in the order designating the critical management area pursuant to subsection 1 if the State Engineer determines, after consideration of the best available science, that the perennial yield of the basin is different from the perennial yield set forth in such order.
3. The State Engineer shall, before reviewing the results of a groundwater management plan pursuant to subsection 8 of NRS 534.037, review the perennial yield of the basin set forth in the order pursuant to subsection 1 and may modify the perennial yield of the basin pursuant to subsection 2 if the State Engineer determines the perennial yield has changed.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 842)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.050 - Permit to appropriate water required before sinking well in designated groundwater basin; requirements in undesignated areas; waivers; penalties.

1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2 and NRS 534.180, every person desiring to sink or bore a well in any basin or portion therein in the State designated by the State Engineer, as provided for in this chapter, must first make application to and obtain from the State Engineer a permit to appropriate the water, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 533 of NRS relating to the appropriation of the public waters, before performing any work in connection with the boring or sinking of the well.
2. Upon written application and a showing of good cause, the State Engineer may issue a written waiver of the requirements of subsection 1:
(a) For exploratory wells to be drilled to determine the availability of water or the quality of available water;
(b) To allow temporary use of the water in constructing a highway or exploring for water, oil, gas, minerals or geothermal resources; or
(c) For wells to be drilled in shallow groundwater systems and pumped to alleviate potential hazards to persons and property resulting from the rise of groundwater caused by secondary recharge. If practical, approved by the State Engineer and consistent with this chapter and chapter 533 of NRS, the withdrawn water must be used for some other beneficial use.
3. In other basins or portions of basins which have not been designated by the State Engineer no application or permit to appropriate water is necessary until after the well is sunk or bored and water developed. Before any diversion of water may be made from the well, the appropriator must make application to and obtain from the State Engineer, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 533 of NRS, a permit to appropriate the water.
4. Upon written application and a showing of good cause, the State Engineer may issue a written waiver of the requirements of subsection 3, to allow temporary use of water in constructing a highway or exploring for water, oil, gas, minerals or geothermal resources.
5. Any person using water after a permit has been withdrawn, denied, cancelled, revoked or forfeited is guilty of a misdemeanor. Each day of violation of this subsection constitutes a separate offense and is separately punishable.
[6:178:1939; A 1943, 139; 1947, 52; 1949, 128; 1953, 190]—(NRS A 1957, 716; 1967, 1053; 1979, 183, 242; 1981, 659; 1983, 2090; 1985, 490; 1987, 1776; 1997, 1621; 2007, 842)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.065 - Replacement well: Application to change place of diversion not required in certain circumstances; notice.

1. If a person is seeking to sink or bore a replacement well to divert groundwater already appropriated and:
(a) The original site of the well and the site of the replacement well are on public lands or on property owned by the same person for whom the groundwater has already been appropriated; and
(b) The site of the replacement well is located not more than 300 feet from the original place of diversion described on the permit to appropriate water,
the person is not required to file an application to change the place of diversion pursuant to NRS 533.345.
2. If a change to the site of a replacement well meets the requirements of subsection 1, the site of the replacement well must be located anywhere on public lands or on the property of the person who holds the permit to appropriate water that is not more than 300 feet from the original place of diversion described on the permit to appropriate water.
3. The person who holds the permit to appropriate water must:
(a) Record the site of the replacement well in the office of the county recorder of each county in which the water is applied to beneficial use and in each county in which the water is diverted from its natural source; and
(b) Inform the State Engineer of the site of the replacement well.
Compliance with the provisions of this subsection shall be deemed to impart notice of the site of the replacement well to all persons.
4. If a person is seeking to sink or bore a replacement well on public lands, the person must notify any relevant federal agency that is charged with administering such public lands and comply with all applicable federal laws.
5. As used in this section, "public lands" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 408.078.
(Added to NRS by 2019, 2525; A 2023, 706)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.070 - Waste of water from artesian well unlawful.

1. No person controlling an artesian well in any basin in Nevada shall suffer the waters therefrom to flow to waste, unless, and as far as reasonably necessary in the judgment of the State Engineer, to prevent the obstruction thereof, or to flow or be taken therefrom except for beneficial purposes.
2. The owner of any artesian well from which water is being unnecessarily wasted shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
[8:178:1939; A 1943, 139; 1947, 52; 1955, 328]—(NRS A 1957, 720)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.080 - Appropriation of underground water for beneficial use from artesian, definable aquifer or percolating water: Acquisition of rights under chapter 533 of NRS; orders to desist; dates of priority.

1. A legal right to appropriate underground water for beneficial use from an artesian or definable aquifer subsequent to March 22, 1913, or from percolating water, the course and boundaries of which are incapable of determination, subsequent to March 25, 1939, can only be acquired by complying with the provisions of chapter 533 of NRS pertaining to the appropriation of water.
2. The State Engineer may, upon written notice sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, advise the owner of a well who is using water therefrom without a permit to appropriate the water to cease using the water until the owner has complied with the laws pertaining to the appropriation of water. If the owner fails to initiate proceedings to secure such a permit within 30 days after the date of the notice, the owner is guilty of a misdemeanor.
3. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4 and NRS 534.180, the date of priority of all appropriations of water from an underground source mentioned in this section is the date when application is made in proper form and filed in the Office of the State Engineer pursuant to the provisions of chapter 533 of NRS.
4. The date of priority for the use of underground water from a well for domestic purposes where the draught does not exceed 2 acre-feet per year is the date of completion of the well as:
(a) Recorded by the well driller on the log the well driller files with the State Engineer pursuant to NRS 534.170; or
(b) Demonstrated through any other documentation or evidence specified by the State Engineer.
[9:178:1939; A 1947, 52; 1943 NCL § 7993.18]—(NRS A 1957, 718; 1967, 195; 2007, 843)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.100 - Recognition of existing water rights; classification of water in definable aquifer or percolating water by State Engineer; adjudication of vested underground water rights.

1. Existing water rights to the use of underground water are hereby recognized. For the purpose of this chapter a vested right is a water right on underground water acquired from an artesian or definable aquifer prior to March 22, 1913, and an underground water right on percolating water, the course and boundaries of which are incapable of determination, acquired prior to March 25, 1939. The distinction as to whether water is in a definable aquifer or whether it is percolating water, the course and boundaries of which are incapable of determination, is a matter to be determined by the State Engineer.
2. Any claimant of a vested underground water right may petition the State Engineer to adjudicate such rights. If upon investigation the State Engineer finds the facts and conditions justify it, the State Engineer shall enter an order granting the petition and shall make proper arrangements to proceed with such determination. In the order the State Engineer shall designate the area within which such determination is to be made, but the size of such designated area may include other claimed underground vested water rights. Such designated area shall not extend into other drainage basins. Following the designation of such area the State Engineer shall proceed with adjudicating such rights as provided for in chapter 533 of NRS.
[9a:178:1939; added 1947, 52; 1943 NCL § 7993.18b]—(NRS A 1957, 718)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.125 - State Engineer to file notice related to temporary permit.

If the State Engineer issues a temporary permit pursuant to NRS 534.120 or if a well for domestic use is drilled in an area in which the State Engineer has issued such a temporary permit, the State Engineer shall file a notice with the county recorder of the county in which the permit is issued or the well is drilled. The notice must include a statement indicating that, if and when water can be furnished by an entity such as a water district or a municipality engaged in furnishing water to the inhabitants of the designated area:
1. A temporary permit may be revoked;
2. The owner of a domestic well may be prohibited from deepening or repairing the well; and
3. The owner of the property served by the well may be required to connect to this water source at his or her own expense.
(Added to NRS by 1999, 3541)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.130 - State Engineer, assistants and Artesian Well Supervisor authorized to enter premises to investigate and carry out duties.

The State Engineer, or the assistants or authorized agents of the State Engineer, and the Artesian Well Supervisor, or the assistants of the Artesian Well Supervisor, shall have the right to enter the premises of any owner or proprietor where any well mentioned in this chapter is situated at any reasonable hour of the day for the purpose of investigating and carrying out their duties in the administration of this chapter.
[11:178:1939; 1931 NCL § 7993.20]
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.140 - Well drillers: Annual licenses; fees; continuing education; regulations for well drilling; licensing by State Contractors’ Board.

1. Every well driller, before engaging in the physical drilling of a well in this State for development of water, must annually apply to the State Engineer for a license to drill.
2. The applications for those licenses and all licenses issued for the drilling of wells must be in the form prescribed by the State Engineer.
3. All well-drilling licenses expire on June 30 following their issuance and are not transferable.
4. A fee of $100 must accompany each application for a license and a fee of $50 must be paid each year for renewal of the license.
5. Those license fees must be accounted for in the State Engineer’s Water License Account and used to pay costs pertaining to licensing, the adoption and enforcement of regulations for well drilling and the compensation of the members of the Well Drillers’ Advisory Board and their expenses.
6. The State Engineer, after consulting with the Well Drillers’ Advisory Board, shall adopt regulations relating to continuing education for well drillers.
7. The State Engineer shall prepare and keep on file in the Office of the State Engineer regulations for well drilling.
8. Before engaging in the physical drilling of a well in this State for the development of water, every well driller who is the owner of a well-drilling rig, or who has a well-drilling rig under lease or rental, or who has a contract to purchase a well-drilling rig, must obtain a license as a well driller from the State Contractors’ Board.
[Part 7a:178:1939; added 1947, 52; A 1955, 328]—(NRS A 1957, 719; 1963, 797; 1979, 115; 1983, 407; 1991, 63, 1785; 2005, 456)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.141 - Application for renewal of license must include certain information regarding state business license; grounds for denial of renewal.

1. In addition to any other requirements set forth in this chapter, an applicant for the renewal of a license to drill pursuant to NRS 534.140 must indicate in the application submitted to the State Engineer whether the applicant has a state business license. If the applicant has a state business license, the applicant must include in the application the business identification number assigned by the Secretary of State upon compliance with the provisions of chapter 76 of NRS.
2. A license to drill issued pursuant to NRS 534.140 may not be renewed by the State Engineer if:
(a) The applicant fails to submit the information required by subsection 1; or
(b) The State Controller has informed the State Engineer pursuant to subsection 5 of NRS 353C.1965 that the applicant owes a debt to an agency that has been assigned to the State Controller for collection and the applicant has not:
(1) Satisfied the debt;
(2) Entered into an agreement for the payment of the debt pursuant to NRS 353C.130; or
(3) Demonstrated that the debt is not valid.
3. As used in this section:
(a) "Agency" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 353C.020.
(b) "Debt" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 353C.040.
(Added to NRS by 2013, 2736)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.142 - Payment of child support: Statement by applicant for license to drill; grounds for denial of license; duty of State Engineer. [Effective until the date of the repeal of 42 U.S.C. § 666, the federal law requiring each state to establish procedures for withholding, suspending and restricting the professional, occupational and recreational licenses for child support arrearages and for noncompliance with certain processes relating to paternity or child support proceedings.]

1. An applicant for the issuance or renewal of a license to drill pursuant to NRS 534.140 shall submit to the State Engineer the statement prescribed by the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services of the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to NRS 425.520. The statement must be completed and signed by the applicant.
2. The State Engineer shall include the statement required pursuant to subsection 1 in:
(a) The application or any other forms that must be submitted for the issuance or renewal of the license; or
(b) A separate form prescribed by the State Engineer.
3. A license to drill may not be issued or renewed by the State Engineer if the applicant:
(a) Fails to submit the statement required pursuant to subsection 1; or
(b) Indicates on the statement submitted pursuant to subsection 1 that the applicant is subject to a court order for the support of a child and is not in compliance with the order or a plan approved by the district attorney or other public agency enforcing the order for the repayment of the amount owed pursuant to the order.
4. If an applicant indicates on the statement submitted pursuant to subsection 1 that the applicant is subject to a court order for the support of a child and is not in compliance with the order or a plan approved by the district attorney or other public agency enforcing the order for the repayment of the amount owed pursuant to the order, the State Engineer shall advise the applicant to contact the district attorney or other public agency enforcing the order to determine the actions that the applicant may take to satisfy the arrearage.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 2088)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.144 - Suspension of license for failure to pay child support or comply with certain subpoenas or warrants; reinstatement of license. [Effective until the date of the repeal of 42 U.S.C. § 666, the federal law requiring each state to establish procedures for withholding, suspending and restricting the professional, occupational and recreational licenses for child support arrearages and for noncompliance with certain processes relating to paternity or child support proceedings.]

1. If the State Engineer receives a copy of a court order issued pursuant to NRS 425.540 that provides for the suspension of all professional, occupational and recreational licenses, certificates and permits issued to a person who is the holder of a license to drill issued pursuant to NRS 534.140, the State Engineer shall deem the license issued to that person to be suspended at the end of the 30th day after the date on which the court order was issued unless the State Engineer receives a letter issued to the holder of the license by the district attorney or other public agency pursuant to NRS 425.550 stating that the holder of the license has complied with the subpoena or warrant or has satisfied the arrearage pursuant to NRS 425.560.
2. The State Engineer shall reinstate a license to drill issued pursuant to NRS 534.140 that has been suspended by a district court pursuant to NRS 425.540 if the State Engineer receives a letter issued by the district attorney or other public agency pursuant to NRS 425.550 to the person whose license was suspended stating that the person whose license was suspended has complied with the subpoena or warrant or has satisfied the arrearage pursuant to NRS 425.560.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 2089)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.146 - Application for license to include social security number of applicant. [Effective until the date of the repeal of 42 U.S.C. § 666, the federal law requiring each state to establish procedures for withholding, suspending and restricting the professional, occupational and recreational licenses for child support arrearages and for noncompliance with certain processes relating to paternity or child support proceedings.]

An application for the issuance of a license to drill pursuant to NRS 534.140 must include the social security number of the applicant.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 2089)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.150 - Well Drillers’ Advisory Board: Appointment; terms of members; vacancies; compensation; duties.

1. For the purpose of examining applicants for well drillers’ licenses, the State Engineer may appoint a Well Drillers’ Advisory Board referred to in this section as the "Board." The Board may be on a regional or statewide basis.
2. In making the initial appointments, the State Engineer shall appoint members to staggered terms of 1, 2 and 3 years. After the initial terms, members shall serve for 3-year terms.
3. The State Engineer may fill vacancies on the Board.
4. Each member of the Board is entitled to receive $60 for each day and $30 for each half day spent doing the work of the Board. Any time spent by members of the Board in work or travel necessary to the discharge of their duties which is less than a full day but more than a half day must be treated for compensation as a full day. Any time less than a half day must be treated as a half day.
5. The purpose of the Board is to determine the qualifications of an applicant as a well driller and to submit its findings to the State Engineer.
6. Regulations of the Board on examining applicants for well drillers’ licenses must be developed by the State Engineer in cooperation with the Board upon its creation.
7. If a hearing is held by the State Engineer to determine whether a licensed well driller is complying with the law or the regulations pertaining to well drilling, the State Engineer may avail himself or herself of the services of the Board in an advisory capacity.
[Part 7a:178:1939; added 1947, 52; A 1955, 328]—(NRS A 1963, 798; 1977, 1236; 1979, 793; 1981, 1986; 1985, 434)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.160 - License required to drill well; revocation of or refusal to reissue license; order to plug well; penalty for allowing unlicensed person to drill.

1. A person shall not drill a well for water in this State without having first obtained a well-drilling license.
2. Well drillers must comply with the regulations adopted by the State Engineer governing the drilling of water wells.
3. If the State Engineer determines, upon investigation and after hearing held upon at least 15 days’ notice sent by registered or certified mail to the licensed well driller, that the well driller has failed to comply with the law or the required regulations, the State Engineer may revoke the license. The State Engineer may refuse to reissue a license to a well driller if the well driller has violated the law or the regulations.
4. The order revoking or refusing to reissue a license is final unless an action for review by the district court is filed pursuant to NRS 533.450.
5. The State Engineer shall order any person who drills a well without a license to plug that well. If the well is not plugged within 30 days after the order, the State Engineer shall plug the well at the expense of the person who owned or drilled the well.
6. If any licensed driller who owns, rents, leases or has a contract to purchase a well-drilling rig allows an unlicensed person to drill or perform any work in connection with well drilling, except under the supervision of the licensed driller, the license must be revoked or not reissued.
[Part 7a:178:1939; added 1947, 52; A 1955, 328]—(NRS A 1957, 719; 1969, 95; 1981, 360)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.170 - Well driller to keep log and records; contents; information to be furnished to State Engineer; report of test.

1. The well driller shall keep:
(a) A log of the depth, thickness and character of the different strata penetrated and the location of water-bearing strata; and
(b) An accurate record of the work, including:
(1) A statement of the date of beginning work;
(2) The date of completion;
(3) The length, size and weight of the casing and how it is placed;
(4) The size of the drilled hole;
(5) Where sealed off and the type of seal;
(6) The name of the well driller and the type of drilling machine used;
(7) The number of cubic feet per second or gallons per minute of flow from such well when completed; and
(8) The pressure in pounds per square inch if it is a flowing well, and, if nonflowing, the static water level, and the water temperature.
2. The well driller shall furnish a copy of the log and the record of work for every well drilled to the State Engineer within 30 days after the well is completed.
3. If the well is to be tested by pumping by the holder of the permit, the report of the test must include the drawdown with respect to the amount of water pumped and any additional information requested by the State Engineer. This information must be reported and verified on forms prescribed by the State Engineer. The report must be returned:
(a) Immediately following the completion of the test; or
(b) Within 30 days following the completion of the well,
whichever occurs later.
4. The log, record of the work and report of the test are a permanent record in the Office of the State Engineer.
[Part 7a:178:1939; added 1947, 52; A 1955, 328]—(NRS A 1981, 1842)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.180 - Applicability of chapter to wells used for domestic purposes; registration and plugging of wells used for domestic purposes; wells for accessory dwelling unit of single-family dwelling.

1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2 and as to the furnishing of any information required by the State Engineer, this chapter does not apply in the matter of obtaining permits for the development and use of underground water from a well for domestic purposes where the draught does not exceed 2 acre-feet per year.
2. The State Engineer may designate any groundwater basin or portion thereof as a basin in which the registration of a well is required if the well is drilled for the development and use of underground water for domestic purposes. A driller who drills such a well shall register the information required by the State Engineer within 10 days after the completion of the well. The State Engineer shall make available forms for the registration of such wells and shall maintain a register of those wells.
3. The State Engineer may require the plugging of such a well which is drilled on or after July 1, 1981, at any time not sooner than 1 year after water can be furnished to the site by:
(a) A political subdivision of this State; or
(b) A public utility whose rates and service are regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada,
but only if such a well is within 1,250 feet of a municipal water system.
4. If the development and use of underground water from a well for an accessory dwelling unit of a single-family dwelling, as defined in an applicable local ordinance, qualifies as a domestic use or domestic purpose:
(a) The owner of the well shall:
(1) Obtain approval for that use or purpose from the local governing body or planning commission in whose jurisdiction the well is located;
(2) Install a water meter capable of measuring the total withdrawal of water from the well; and
(3) Ensure the total withdrawal of water from the well does not exceed 2 acre-feet per year;
(b) The local governing body or planning commission shall report the approval of the accessory dwelling unit on a form provided by the State Engineer;
(c) The State Engineer shall monitor the annual withdrawal of water from the well; and
(d) The date of priority for the use of the domestic well to supply water to the accessory dwelling unit is the date of approval of the accessory dwelling unit by the local governing body or planning commission.
[3:178:1939; A 1947, 52; 1949, 128; 1955, 328]—(NRS A 1971, 868; 1977, 383; 1981, 1843; 1983, 2090; 1985, 1302; 1997, 2010; 2007, 846; 2023, 1280)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.185 - Waiver of certain requirements for domestic wells by State Engineer; exceptions.

1. The State Engineer shall, upon written request and receipt of a written agreement between the affected property owners, waive the requirements of this chapter regarding permits for the use and development of underground water from a well if:
(a) The well existed on July 1, 1983;
(b) It is used solely for domestic purposes by not more than three single-family dwellings; and
(c) Each of those dwellings does not draw more than 2 acre-feet of water per year.
2. The State Engineer may require an owner who has been granted such a waiver to apply for a permit if one or more of the dwellings is drawing more than 2 acre-feet of water per year.
3. This section does not apply to any groundwater basin for which the State Engineer has in effect on July 1, 1983, a procedure of issuing revocable permits.
(Added to NRS by 1983, 1674; A 2007, 847)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.190 - Penalties.

Any person violating any of the provisions of NRS 534.010 to 534.180, inclusive, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
[12:178:1939; A 1947, 52; 1943 NCL § 7993.21]—(NRS A 1967, 610; 2019, 2526, 2943)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 534 - Underground Water and Wells › NRS 534.193 - Additional penalties.

1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 534.280, 534.310 and 534.330 and in addition to any other penalty provided by law, the State Engineer may, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, require a person who violates any provision of this chapter or any permit, order or decision issued or regulation adopted by the State Engineer pursuant to this chapter or NRS 532.120 to:
(a) Pay an administrative fine not to exceed $10,000 per day for each violation as determined by the State Engineer.
(b) In the case of an unlawful waste of water in violation of NRS 534.070 or any other violation of this chapter that, as determined by the State Engineer, results in an unlawful use, waste or diversion of water, replace not more than 200 percent of the water used, wasted or diverted.
2. In determining violations of this chapter relating to the unauthorized use of water yielded from a well that is used pursuant to a permit issued by the State Engineer and that has 16 or fewer connections, the State Engineer has the burden of proving which user is withdrawing water in excess of the portion of water allotted to the connection of that user. The State Engineer may require any or all users of the well to install and maintain, at their own expense, a meter that measures the amount of water withdrawn from the well by each connection.
3. If an administrative fine is imposed against a person pursuant to subsection 1 or the person is ordered to replace any water pursuant to that subsection, the State Engineer may require the person to pay the costs of the proceeding, including investigative costs and attorney’s fees.
4. An order imposing an administrative fine or requiring the replacement of water or payment of costs or fees pursuant to this section may be reviewed by a district court pursuant to NRS 533.450.
(Added to NRS by 2007, 2020)