Tammy Nichols — Senator Tammy Nichols was invited to present, identified herself and her district, introduced RS 33154, and asked the committee to print the bill while offering to answer questions.
Mark Harris — Senator Hart is called on, likely to make or recognize a motion.
Kevin Cook — Senator Kevin Cook is identified as seconding the motion.
Kevin Cook — Senator Cook is called on to make a motion.
Kevin Cook — Senator Cook asks why someone would not want to join a water district and requests the pros and cons.
Kevin Cook — Senator Kevin Cook asked about a proposal related to additional storage at Bear Lake, thanking Mr. Abel for the presentation and questioning whether the lake’s existing water is being fully utilized before adding more storage. The exchange continued with a response addressing Cook’s concern in the context of Bear Lake and flood mitigation.
Matt Anders — Matt Anders identifies himself as Planning and Project Section Supervisor for the Idaho Department of Water Resources and begins presenting the rule changes.
Jim Guthrie — Senator Hart asks whether winter stock water is treated differently from summer use and whether stock water is a separate allocation. In response, the discussion explains that stock water is often part of the water right and can be used for watering stock without increasing the overall diversion rate.
Jim Guthrie — Senator Guthrie followed up on water-rights and diversion issues, asking how priority dates apply when groundwater is converted to surface water, what priority date governs the water being used, and whether the Twin Falls Canal Company’s lining project would truly reduce diversions or simply result in the same amount being taken while saving water overall.
Mr. Anders — Thanked by the chair after the motion/vote.
Matt Weaver — Matt Weaver is introduced as the next presenter and then takes the floor, identifying himself as the director of the Idaho Department of Water Resources and stating that he is there to provide an agency update.
Judy Boyle — Representative Judy Boyle’s earlier comments and questions about the lack of good groundwater maps and monitoring tools on the western side of the state prompted the development of the groundwater mapping effort for Treasure Valley.
Jody Williams — Identified as the federal chair supporting the commission.
Don Barnett — Identified as the engineer manager supporting the commission.
Kerry Romrell — Named as a current Idaho commissioner.
Travis Gilbert — Named as a current Idaho commissioner.
Mark Ipsum — Named as an alternative commissioner; name appears uncertain and may be a transcription error.
James Cephalo — Named as an alternative commissioner.
Delwyn Treves — Identified as the former administrator who retired.
Ray Ledgerwood — Described as having extensive experience in soil and water conservation work.
Ron Taylor — Senator Taylor praises Director Weaver and the Bigwood Groundwater Users Association for their work and diligence.
Jerald Raymond — Jerald Raymond is identified as the next speaker and then responds that Bear Lake’s operation is a Pacific Corp policy issue, referencing prior legal disputes related to flooding claims.