Transcript Highlights:

• an assessment to the water district every year.
• the patrons of that water district—let me correct that—the patrons of the water district to adopt a resolution
• Allow the patrons of that water district—let me correct that—the patrons of the water district to adopt
• Arrington, can you tell me the difference between a water district and an irrigation district?
• But to your question, the irrigation district is one of the water right holders in the water district

Summary: The committee first confirmed Michael Lyndon of Post Falls to the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and then heard several water-related bills. Senate Bill 1304 would clarify ditch easement rights by allowing ditch owners to inspect, maintain, and relocate diversion structures within an existing easement without written landowner permission, while still requiring permission to move anything outside the easement. Senate Bill 1306 would fix a timing issue in irrigation district exclusion petitions by replacing an automatic approval trigger after 150 days with a more structured hearing and appeal timeline. Senate Bill 1305 would let water districts, if authorized by a patron resolution, charge specific property owners for costs tied to updating water-right ownership records instead of spreading those costs across all users. Senate Bill 1307 would repeal and consolidate overlapping code chapters on lateral ditch management into one chapter, adding definitions and clarifying election, appointment, and maintenance rules for lateral users associations and water delivery entities. All four bills received do-pass recommendations, though one senator reserved judgment on SB 1304 to consult local property-rights concerns. The committee also considered House Bill 511, which would raise the cap on the Idaho Department of Lands’ improved-parcel wildfire preparedness surcharge from $40 to $100 per year. The sponsor and department said the fee supports wildfire readiness, equipment, training, and rapid initial attack in growing wildland-urban interface areas, and industry witnesses supported the increase as modest and necessary. The bill passed the committee on a do-pass motion, with Senators Cole and Hart voting no. Finally, Senate Bill 1269 would update Idaho’s cloud seeding statute by adding definitions, formal reporting and public meeting requirements, accountability provisions, and clarification that state standards govern the program. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and preserve the existing program without expanding it, while one virtual witness testified against it. Several members said they wanted more transparency and further discussion, but the committee still sent the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• an assessment to the water district every year.
• the patrons of that water district—let me correct that, the patrons of the water district—to adopt a
• Arrington, can you tell me the difference between a water district and an irrigation district? Mr.
• But to your question, the irrigation district is one of the water right holders in the water district
• district or water master wasn't put unintentionally in...

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 69,000 acres within our district, and we deliver water to 46,000 acres.
• I'm the Boise River Water Master with Water District 63.
• A groundwater district is a little different than any other kind of water management district.
• We don't actually have any water rights within the district ourselves as a groundwater district.
• Our district alone will budget $1.5 million annually to be able to provide that water.

Summary: The committee heard a series of presentations on Idaho water infrastructure and management projects funded through state and federal grants. Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association opened by describing statewide water challenges and emphasizing that recent legislative investments are being paired with private dollars to address aging infrastructure, improve reliability, and avoid future curtailment. He introduced presentations focused on Boise River Basin projects and Eastern Snake River Plain settlement-related work. Lori Gray of Nampa Meridian Irrigation District described a $21 million Ridenbaugh headworks replacement project near Barber Dam and Barber Park. She said the project will replace 1930s-era infrastructure, improve employee safety, increase delivery reliability, improve efficiency, and include fish screens, automated crest gates, and an OG weir. She outlined funding from a state aging infrastructure grant, a regional water sustainability grant, and federal WaterSMART funds, and gave a schedule showing work through 2026 and 2027. Daniel Hoke of Water District 63 presented the Treasure Valley Water Supply Project, which is using new monitoring, modeling, and forecasting to track declining drain return flows in the Boise River Basin and develop mitigation options, including a planned Fifteen Mile drain project to stabilize return flows. Jay Barlowji of Twin Falls Canal Company described a large canal lining and automation effort to reduce seepage, improve delivery efficiency, and add real-time monitoring at return-flow sites; he said the project totals about $26.3 million and is about two-thirds complete. Alan Jackson of Bingham Groundwater District discussed groundwater-to-surface-water conversions, a district-owned drill rig and planned monitoring wells, and annual mitigation water purchases under the settlement agreement. Aaron Dowling of Fremont-Madison Irrigation District described telemetry for groundwater meters, a pipeline replacement, a long-running North Fremont Canal pipeline project, automation that has increased reservoir storage, and smaller canal-company infrastructure upgrades. The committee then took up two rule dockets from the Idaho Department of Water Resources. It approved docket 37-0204-2501, revising the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Water Bank rules, after Mary Condon explained that the changes were the product of consultation with the tribes and stakeholders and mainly removed outdated or unnecessary provisions while clarifying rental applications, payments, and terms. Haley Johnson Wasco testified for the tribes in support. The committee also approved docket 37-0307-2501, revising stream channel alteration rules, after Aaron Gollart explained that the changes streamline the rules, add definitions and standards for bridges, culverts, permanent structures, rock riprap, and bioengineering, and reduce the overall word count. A third rule docket was postponed to another day, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Desert View Water Agency, Palmdale Water District, San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency, Mission Springs Water
• Good evening, Jonathan Clare, on behalf of the Alameda County Water District and Metropolitan Water District
• Municipal Water District, in support.
• Water District in support.
• Valley Municipal Water District, in support.

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our members include river authorities, municipalities, all types of water districts including flood,
• Our water use survey team does work with groundwater conservation districts to get their reported pumpage
• You know, I've got to get a permit from a groundwater district to drill a well to water my cows.
• There's already a fund at the Water Development Board for new districts; it's just a matter of actually
• We do not have a large aquifer in Jack County and we are not in a water conservation district.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yasmin Newbany, on behalf of the Community Water Systems Alliance, 29 Palms Water District, Bay Area,
• Desert View Water Agency, Palmdale Water District, San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency, Mission Springs Water
• Jonathan Clare, on behalf of the Alameda County Water District and Metropolitan Water District of Southern
• Municipal Water District, in support.
• Valley Municipal Water District, in support.

Summary: The committee heard several water, wildlife, and land-use bills. AB 2218 by Assembly Member Calóra would establish a state policy directing agencies to recognize and address water-related inequities affecting tribes; tribal supporters said it is a needed step toward restoring a voice at the table, while water agencies and local government groups opposed it as vague and potentially harmful to water supply reliability. The bill was amended in committee and moved forward on a vote, though it was left on call. AB 2032 by Assembly Member Ransom, the Golden Mussel Response Act, would speed agency response to the invasive golden mussel by streamlining permits and research; it drew broad support and no opposition, and passed the committee unanimously to Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. AB 1712 by Assembly Member Pacheco would let Santa Fe Springs sell its small, contaminated water system through a protest process instead of a municipal election; supporters said it would avoid major rate hikes and improve reliability, and it was moved to Appropriations, though the vote was left on call. The committee also considered AB 1722 by Assembly Member Hadwick, which would create a clearer self-defense exception under the California Endangered Species Act for people facing dangerous predators. The author and a sheriff described a fatal mountain lion attack and argued rural residents need certainty; Defenders of Wildlife withdrew opposition after committee amendments, and the bill advanced to Judiciary on a vote that was left on call. AB 1613 by Assembly Member Wilson would require an off-highway vehicle safety and stewardship certification course before operating OHVs on public lands starting in 2029. Supporters said it would reduce accidents and educate new riders, while Vice Chair Gonzalez raised concerns about fees, penalties, tourism, and impacts on low-income residents in his district; the bill passed on a split vote and was left on call. Later, AB 1808 by Assembly Member Carrillo would expand local permitting authority for Western Joshua tree projects and reduce or waive some fees for homeowners and public works. Supporters framed it as a way to balance conservation with housing and infrastructure needs, while environmental groups opposed changes they said would weaken avoidance and mitigation protections; the bill passed to Natural Resources and was left on call. AB 1894 by Assembly Member Rubio would address imported water deliveries and groundwater recharge in the context of golden mussel restrictions, with supporters arguing for a statewide, science-based approach that preserves water reliability; it advanced to Appropriations with no opposition. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly emphasized the need to balance competing interests, especially around water reliability, tribal equity, public safety, and environmental protection.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have water districts that support...
• Probably the water district would be my first preference. Tell us your name and who you're with.
• I appreciate that we have, I think, 99 or 100 water districts, and I could comfortably say probably 25
• District as total water in the aquifer?
• DFCs for individual groundwater conservation districts, right, as a water development board?

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lily McKay on behalf of Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District and West Valley Water District in support
• Jamie Miner, on behalf of Eastern Municipal Water District, Santa Margarita Water District, Kerckhoff
• Irrigation District, West Basin Municipal Water District, and Monterey One Water.
• Company, Desert Water Agency, El Dorado Irrigation District, Palmdale Water District, Puente Basin Water
• Agency, Rowland Water District, Solano County Water Agency, Walnut Valley Water District, and Water

Summary: The committee heard several water- and environment-related bills. SB 72, by Senator Caballero, would modernize the California Water Plan and set long-term water supply targets, including an interim goal of 9 million acre-feet of additional water by 2040. Supporters from water districts, local governments, business groups, and agricultural interests argued the bill is needed to address climate-driven shortages, protect the economy, and improve planning for droughts, flooding, recharge, recycling, storage, and conveyance. Opponents, including environmental and conservation groups, argued the bill could overstate demand, increase costs, and make it harder to protect instream flows and ecosystems. The committee discussed the science behind the 9 million acre-feet target and the need to balance water supply planning with fish and ecological needs. SB 72 passed on a do-pass motion to Appropriations. SB 369, by Senator Padilla, would require a local skilled and trained workforce for all Salton Sea restoration work. The author and sponsors said the bill would protect workers exposed to hazardous conditions at the Salton Sea, create good local jobs in Imperial County, and ensure long-term workforce standards for publicly funded restoration projects. Support came from labor organizations, contractors, and other regional stakeholders; no opposition testified. Members emphasized the region’s high unemployment and the importance of workforce development. The bill passed on a do-pass motion to Labor and Employment. SB 697, by Senator Laird, would update the stream system adjudication process by allowing the State Water Board to use modern technology, such as stream gauges and digitized records, when investigating water rights claims, while still allowing field investigations when needed. The author said the process has not been updated since 1976 and should be streamlined. After amendments addressed stakeholder concerns, there was no opposition testimony. The committee asked whether the bill would affect pre-1914 water rights, and the author said it would not. SB 697 passed as amended to Judiciary. The committee also approved consent calendar items SB 599, SB 609, and SB 765 earlier in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 69,000 acres within our district, and we deliver water to 46,000 acres.
• I'm the Boise River Water Master with Water District 63.
• A groundwater district is a little different than any other kind of water management district.
• We don't actually have any water rights within the district ourselves as a groundwater district.
• Our district alone will budget $1.5 million annually to be able to provide that water.

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 69,000 acres in our district, and we service water to 46,000 acres.
• We have 69,000 acres in our district, and we service water to 46,000 acres.
• I'm the Boise River Watermaster here in Water District 63.
• Water right holders in our groundwater district. Our district is the definition of herding cats.
• There are some surface water supplies in our groundwater district.

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• School districts control board seats on appraisal districts.
• the board of an appraisal district, controls the appraisal district, the school district gets, you know
• district.
• , District 37.
• water that is not. makes the water not meet drinking water standards. or drilling new wells, things like

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• districts with in-person trainings and resources, acting as water masters and performing water district
• districts in place to administer water.
• The basins that are not shaded do have water districts to administer surface water.
• The basins that are not shaded do have water districts to administer surface water and groundwater.
• rights, adjudication, planning, technical services, and the water master of Water District 1.

Summary: The House Resources and Conservation Committee met to consider several RS drafts and receive agency updates. The committee introduced RS 33151, described as a federalism bill intended to clarify state and federal roles in Idaho code; RS 33217, which would clarify distribution of the big game depredation fund so remaining money is paid pro rata to farmers and ranchers; RS 33284, proposing hunting as Idaho’s state sport; and RS 33287 C1, a revised version of a prior bill related to notice language and fish and game issues. RS 313185 was removed from the agenda at the sponsor’s request. The committee also approved pending rule docket 24-3501-2501 for the Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board. The committee then heard an extensive update from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses. Officials said the division now oversees more than 259,000 licenses across 44 boards and three safety programs, has consolidated offices and systems to improve efficiency, and is moving toward two-year renewals and more function-based organization. They also outlined upcoming executive legislation on controlled substances, board consolidations, and unified disciplinary procedures, and reported on fee reductions, zero-based rulemaking, and board cash-balance corrections under prior legislation. The Department of Water Resources and the Idaho Water Resource Board provided lengthy presentations on budget holdbacks, water administration, groundwater conditions, recharge, cloud seeding, the Bear River Compact, and a proposed merger with the Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Director Weaver described budget reductions, staffing challenges, delivery-call enforcement on the Eastern Snake Plain, expansion of groundwater administration into tributary basins, and new monitoring and modeling work in the Treasure Valley. Chairman Raybould reviewed state water funding, recharge and canal-efficiency projects, cloud seeding, and the ESPA sustainability program, including grants for groundwater-to-surface-water conversion and telemetry. The committee asked questions about aquifer management, canal lining and recharge, Bear River depletion rights, and conversion projects. The meeting ended with approval of the February 3 minutes and notice that another RS would likely be taken up at the final meeting later in the week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Districts like municipal utility districts, or MUDs, are the most common type of water district. lands
• Districts like municipal utility districts or muds are the most common type of water district.
• type of water district and build those lines for that water entity.
• Would the water district have to approve how much water you all get to consume?
• instead of a water utility district.

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that district.
• I'm a retired water attorney. I'm here on behalf of Boise-Warm Springs Water District.
• The Municipal Water Rights Act is a drinking water statute.
• When the act was passed, the people who were proposing it came, including boards of water districts,
• Senator, this is another water bill. We love water.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several water and energy-related measures. Senate Bill 1337, by Sen. Anthon, would allow landowners in irrigation districts of 15,000 acres or less to serve as directors from a division they own land in if they live in a county adjoining the district, with a two-thirds board vote required; the Idaho Water Users Association supported the change, and the committee sent it to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 737, presented by Sen. Den Hartog, would merge the Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources with the Office of Species Conservation to improve coordination and efficiency; Idaho Water Users Association supported it, while Sen. Taylor noted concern about conservation funding, and the bill was advanced on a due pass vote. Senate Bill 1303, by Sen. Woodward, would broaden support for the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources and expand the revenue language from renewable energy to renewable or sustainable energy sources, including discussion of hydro and nuclear; Renewable Northwest testified in support, and the committee moved it forward with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 503, by Sen. Harris, would transfer the Soil and Water Conservation Commission from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Water Resources, with supporters citing efficiency and alignment with the commission’s mission; it also received a due pass recommendation. House Bill 676, by Sen. Cook, would allow municipal geothermal systems to be treated as a municipal purpose under future water-needs planning, while requiring non-consumptive use and reinjection; Boise officials, water users, and conservation advocates supported it, while a Boise-Warm Springs Water District representative raised concerns about statutory scope and aquifer impacts, and the committee still advanced the bill. Finally, House Joint Memorial 14, also by Sen. Cook, urged development of 750,000 acre-feet of new water storage in Idaho by 2100, using American Falls’ relocation and reservoir history as context for the need for future storage. The Idaho Water Users Association and Idaho Grain Producers Association supported the memorial, and the committee sent it to the floor with a recommendation that it be approved. All measures considered in the transcript were advanced, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• districts, water district designs, their geography, their current infrastructure, and their available
• While water districts routinely prepare for individual structure fires, the amount of water needed to
• Ashley Walker on behalf of Santa Clara Valley Water District, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, and
• O'Levin-Hine Municipal Water District in support.
• Tiffany Fan, on behalf of Eastern Municipal Water District and Santa Margarita Municipal Water District

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that district.
• I'm a retired water attorney. I'm here on behalf of Boise-Warm Springs Water District.
• The Municipal Water Rights Act is a drinking water statute.
• When the act was passed, the people that were proposing it came, including boards of water districts,
• Senator, this is another water bill. We love water.

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our clients are irrigation districts, water conservancies, the state of Utah and Idaho themselves, and
• There are claims on surface water throughout the state, including by many of the irrigation districts
• Water Act.
• That can mean things like conveyance of water, storage of water, reuse of water, groundwater replenishment
• ...between the water that you have and the water that you need?

Committee: House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard introductions from members and staff, then took up several water and natural resources bills. House Bill 2024 would expand Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) authority to include snowpack augmentation and related planning and permitting costs. Supporters, including a cloud-seeding company, argued the technology can increase snowpack and water supply at relatively low cost, while opponents raised concerns about weather modification, chemicals such as silver iodide, uncertainty in the science, and potential environmental effects. After debate, the committee passed HB 2024 on a 6-4 vote, with some members explaining they wanted more research but were willing to advance it for further consideration. House Bill 2053 would appropriate $100,000 to the Arizona Department of Water Resources to update stormwater recharge mapping statewide, including private land, and the committee adopted an amendment extending the timeline and revising language about recharge sites and surface-water conflicts. ADWR said it could do the mapping but noted legal concerns about determining appropriable surface water rights. SRP and the Sierra Club opposed parts of the bill, arguing the language could affect existing water rights or exclude nature-based recharge areas. The bill passed as amended on a 6-4 vote. The committee then heard a presentation from WIFA director Chelsea McGuire on the agency’s revolving funds, conservation grants, and long-term augmentation efforts, including seven proposed augmentation projects and a request for no budget cuts. House Bill 2097, which would cap groundwater pumping in irrigation non-expansion areas at six acre-feet per acre and add related reporting, exemptions, and substitution provisions, drew support from the sponsor as a conservation measure but opposition from ADWR and environmental advocates who said the cap was too high or could encourage pumping; it passed 6-4. House Bill 2116, appropriating $1 million to the Colorado River Litigation Fund, passed 8-1 amid comments that it was a precaution in ongoing Colorado River negotiations. Finally, House Bill 2117, a cleanup bill shifting environmental special plate fund authority to the new conservation district board and updating distribution rules, was presented as a technical correction and education-fund update; the transcript ends before a final vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jamie Miner, on behalf of Eastern Municipal Water District as well as Santa Margarita Water District,
• Lily McKay, on behalf of West Valley Water District and Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, in
• Water District, and the Santa Clara Valley Water District, in support.
• Kasha Hunt, here with California Water District. Thank you.
• , Walnut Valley Water District, and Rallon Water District, in support.

Committee: House Emergency Management

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had 145 water districts.
• Well, water districts of certain sizes have to submit these plans, but many smaller water districts,
• by all water districts.
• I'll give you an example of an actual water district I know about: a water district serves about 400
• small water I give you an example of actual water district I know about water district serves about

Committee: House Emergency Management

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes creating and modifying water districts to do priority administration of water, supporting
• districts with in-person trainings and resources, acting as water masters and performing water district
• districts in place to administer water.
• The basins that are not shaded do have water districts to administer surface water and groundwater.
• rights, adjudication, planning, technical services, and the water master of Water District 1.

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Keywords: 989, all