More Utahns would be at the negotiating table in meetings with Nevada about interstate water interests, under a bill that passed the Legislature Wednesday.

Sponsored by Rep. Jackie Biskupski, D-Salt Lake, HB422 sets up an advisory committee to the Utah Department of Natural Resources on negotiations between the state and Nevada concerning dividing groundwater in Snake Valley, located in Nevada near the border between the two states. About 27,000 acre-feet of water in the aquifer that underlies the state border would be pumped to Las Vegas yearly under plans pushed by Nevada.

Lawmakers amended the bill to remove committee members who would look out for the ecosystem and air quality. The new version puts the emphasis on "water rights specifically," said Rep. Michael Noel, R-Kanab.

The committee would include the governor or a representative of his office; the department director; the state engineer; a representative of the Board of Water Resources; an elected official of each affected county; two members of the House from each political party who represent citizens affected by the prospective water agreement; a member of the Senate and others.

"Most of us feel pretty strongly about water in Utah," Biskupski said, "and as a body we should be at the table."

She said an official of the Southern Nevada Water District said an agreement would take place despite a resolution the Utah Legislature passed recently calling for completion of scientific studies before any agreement goes through.

According to Biskupski, the Nevadan was aggressive and Utah needs to let the project sponsors know "that the Legislature is paying close attention to everything they're up to, and that we do want a voice — and we will have a voice."

The bill is to become effective as soon as Gov. Jon Huntsman signs it.

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