CARSON CITY -- The Southern Nevada Water Authority argued Monday against a bill that calls for more disclosure of information about the agency's proposed 250-mile-long pipeline that would draw water from rural Nevada to thirsty Las Vegas.

While backers of Assembly Bill 325 said the water authority has not been forthcoming with information on the project, a water authority representative said it will not release information until it knows that it is accurate.

AB325 has bipartisan support, with most of Nevada's rural Republicans and Las Vegas Democrats signed on as sponsors. It would require the water authority to make monthly reports on its investigation into the feasibility of water rights transfers to commissioners in affected counties, the state engineer, the U.S. Department of Interior and to the public upon request.

Assemblyman Harry Mortenson, D-Las Vegas, the main sponsor of AB325, said there's a "fear and loathing" about the pipeline, which would run from White Pine County in eastern Nevada to Las Vegas.

He said the concern could be dispelled if researchers are able to review data the water authority uses.

"This is public money that is building this pipeline, and I personally believe the public has to have access to the data," Mortenson said.

The bill is "not intended to hinder the Southern Nevada Water Authority's exploration of resources in White Pine County," he said.

The water authority's Andy Belanger said the bill might not be needed because the agency already is subject to Nevada's public records law and requirements of the state water engineer to exchange data.

And state Engineer Tracy Taylor testified that existing law already allows him to request any information.