Nevada Revised Statutes
Chapter 538 - Interstate Waters, Compacts and Commissions
NRS 538.181 - Contracts relating to power and water: Authority; applicant’s bond; procedure; renewal; exemption from regulation by Public Utilities Commission of Nevada.


1. The Commission shall hold and administer all rights and benefits pertaining to the distribution of the power and water mentioned in NRS 538.041 to 538.251, inclusive, for the State of Nevada and, except as otherwise provided in NRS 538.186, may enter into contracts relating to that power and water, including the transmission and other distribution services, on such terms as the Commission determines.
2. Every applicant, except a federal or state agency or political subdivision, for power or water to be used within the State of Nevada must, before the application is approved, provide an indemnifying bond by a corporation qualified pursuant to the laws of this State, or other collateral, approved by the State Board of Examiners, payable to the State of Nevada in such sum and in such manner as the Commission may require, conditioned for the full and faithful performance of the lease, sublease, contract or other agreement.
3. The power and water must not be sold for less than the actual cost to the State of Nevada.
4. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, before any such sale or lease is made, a notice of it must be advertised in two papers of general circulation published in the State of Nevada at least once a week for 2 weeks. The Commission shall require any person desiring to make objection thereto to file the objection with the Commission within 10 days after the date of the last publication of the notice. If any objection is filed, the Commission shall set a time and place for a hearing of the objection not more than 30 days after the date of the last publication of the notice.
5. The provisions of subsection 4 do not apply to:
(a) Any contract by the Commission to sell supplemental power to a holder of a long-term firm contract with the State for power if the supplemental power is procured by the Commission from a prearranged source and is secured by the holder for his or her own use; or
(b) Any agreement by the Commission to sell short-term or interruptible power on short notice for immediate acceptance to a holder of a long-term firm contract with the State for power who can take delivery of the short-term or interruptible power when it is available.
6. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2 of NRS 538.251, any such lease, sublease, contract or sale of the water or power is not binding upon the State of Nevada until ratified and approved by the Governor and, where required by federal law, until approved by the United States.
7. The Commission shall, upon the expiration of a contract for the sale of power which is in effect on July 1, 1993, offer to the purchaser the right to renew the contract. If the Commission is unable to supply the amount of power set forth in the contract because of a shortage of power available for sale, it shall reduce, on a pro rata basis, the amount of power it is required to sell pursuant to the renewed contract.
8. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 704.787, notwithstanding any provision of chapter 704 of NRS, any purchase of:
(a) Power or water for distribution or exchange, and any subsequent distribution or exchange of power or water by the Commission; or
(b) Water for distribution or exchange, and any subsequent distribution or exchange of water by any entity to which or with which the Commission has contracted the water,
is not subject to regulation by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada.
[Part 7:71:1935; A 1943, 209; 1947, 738; 1943 NCL § 1443.07]—(NRS A 1963, 743; 1964, 4; 1965, 405; 1973, 1607; 1975, 42, 43; 1981, 913, 1439; 1993, 1110; 1995, 972; 1997, 2011; 2001, 354, 1267, 2087)

Structure Nevada Revised Statutes

Nevada Revised Statutes

Chapter 538 - Interstate Waters, Compacts and Commissions

NRS 538.010 - Colorado River Compact: Ratification by Nevada; waiver of provisions of first paragraph of Article XI.

NRS 538.020 - Election of Nevada to receive commutation payments in lieu of other payments under Boulder Canyon Project Act.

NRS 538.030 - Disposition of receipts paid Nevada under Boulder Canyon Project Adjustment Act.

NRS 538.041 - Definitions.

NRS 538.051 - Creation; number and appointment of members.

NRS 538.061 - Qualifications of commissioners.

NRS 538.081 - Removal of commissioner.

NRS 538.101 - Compensation of commissioners and employees; industrial insurance.

NRS 538.111 - Selection of Vice Chair; Executive Director to provide secretarial service.

NRS 538.121 - Principal place of business.

NRS 538.131 - Meetings; notice; quorum.

NRS 538.133 - Executive Director: Appointment; classification; restrictions on other employment.

NRS 538.135 - Executive Director: Duties.

NRS 538.137 - Deputy Executive Director: Appointment; duties; classification; restrictions on other employment.

NRS 538.141 - Assistants and employees: Employment by Executive Director; duties.

NRS 538.151 - Legal services to Commission: Duties of Attorney General and deputy attorney generals.

NRS 538.161 - General duties; contracts for supply of electric energy.

NRS 538.166 - General powers; prerequisites to actions regarding certain sources of supplemental water.

NRS 538.171 - Protection of water, water rights and rights to power; appropriation and use of water; certain uses of water from Muddy River or Virgin River.

NRS 538.181 - Contracts relating to power and water: Authority; applicant’s bond; procedure; renewal; exemption from regulation by Public Utilities Commission of Nevada.

NRS 538.186 - Entry into and consultations relating to certain agreements regarding supplemental water.

NRS 538.191 - Colorado River Commission Fund; Colorado River Research and Development Account.

NRS 538.196 - Interest and income on money in special revenue fund, fund for construction of capital projects, trust fund, enterprise fund or agency fund.

NRS 538.201 - Regulations.

NRS 538.206 - Issuance of general obligations: Consultation with State Treasurer; representation of State before bond credit rating agencies; professional services.

NRS 538.211 - Faith and credit of State pledged.

NRS 538.221 - Hearings; witnesses; testimony.

NRS 538.226 - Water administrative and operating budget: Preparation and approval; contents; authorization; administration.

NRS 538.231 - Application and disbursement of revenues.

NRS 538.241 - Duties of State Controller and State Treasurer.

NRS 538.251 - Approval of contracts by Governor.

NRS 538.270 - "Commission" defined. [Effective until the effective date of the California-Nevada Interstate Compact (NRS 538.600).]

NRS 538.280 - Creation. [Effective until the effective date of the California-Nevada Interstate Compact (NRS 538.600).]

NRS 538.290 - Composition; qualifications of commissioners. [Effective until the effective date of the California-Nevada Interstate Compact (NRS 538.600).]

NRS 538.300 - Terms of commissioners. [Effective until the effective date of the California-Nevada Interstate Compact (NRS 538.600).]

NRS 538.320 - Compensation of commissioners and employees of Commission. [Effective until the effective date of the California-Nevada Interstate Compact (NRS 538.600).]

NRS 538.330 - Payment of expenses. [Effective until the effective date of the California-Nevada Interstate Compact (NRS 538.600).]

NRS 538.340 - Expenses; payment of claims. [Effective until the effective date of the California-Nevada Interstate Compact (NRS 538.600).]

NRS 538.350 - Chair and Secretary of Commission. [Effective until the effective date of the California-Nevada Interstate Compact (NRS 538.600).]

NRS 538.360 - Employees. [Effective until the effective date of the California-Nevada Interstate Compact (NRS 538.600).]

NRS 538.370 - Duties of Attorney General. [Effective until the effective date of the California-Nevada Interstate Compact (NRS 538.600).]

NRS 538.380 - Duties of Commission relative to interstate waters. [Effective until the effective date of the California-Nevada Interstate Compact (NRS 538.600).]

NRS 538.390 - Approval of compact or agreement. [Effective until the effective date of the California-Nevada Interstate Compact (NRS 538.600).]

NRS 538.400 - Investigations of water resources; other powers. [Effective until the effective date of the California-Nevada Interstate Compact (NRS 538.600).]

NRS 538.410 - General powers and duties. [Effective until the effective date of the California-Nevada Interstate Compact (NRS 538.600).]

NRS 538.600 - California-Nevada Interstate Compact: Ratification and approval; text.

NRS 538.610 - Governor to give notice of state’s ratification.

NRS 538.620 - Compensation of commissioners and State Engineer; claims for payment of expenses.

NRS 538.630 - Duties of state officers; cooperation.

NRS 538.650 - Special distribution from Contingency Account to protect water right or supply of water from challenge or encroachment originating outside Nevada.