Ron Wilson — Ron Wilson, manager of East Green Acres Irrigation District in Post Falls, Idaho, gave an extended presentation describing the district’s aging infrastructure and its application for an Idaho Water Resource Board aging infrastructure grant, including the need to replace about 43 miles of water main and serve a growing customer base. He discussed crossing agreements and cooperation with local cities, then shifted to workforce shortages after COVID and the district’s apprenticeship partnership with Idaho Rural Water Association, noting several licensed operators have graduated from the program. Wilson also described the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer and the North Idaho water purveyors’ collaborative effort, his role as treasurer and board member, and related DEQ-supported education and modeling work. He concluded by raising concerns about fiber optic and other utility work, permitting, and inadequate supervision at 8-1-1 meetings, citing damage caused by companies such as Ziply and TDS, and urging clearer utility lanes and better coordination.
Charlie Shepherd — Charlie Shepherd questioned whether the fiber installation route through local infrastructure was legal and followed up with concerns about how the work was being carried out in the city, referencing street-side construction and related damage to sewer lines. The exchange continued as another speaker responded in agreement, indicating the issue had been ongoing and should be addressed.
Charlie Shepherd — Referenced earlier in the exchange as the person Wilson had called about the issue.
Charlie Shepherd — The chair transfers the meeting to Vice Chairman Shepard for the rules portion.
Charlie Shepherd — Chairman Shepard is engaged in a sustained clarification exchange about proposed rule language. He asks for page references in the rulebook, says the revised wording is not clearer, questions where the text mentions a 100-year flood, and tries to connect the language across different rules and sections. The discussion continues with follow-up questions about cross-references and the effect of rejecting the change, all centered on whether the revised definition and related rule language are understandable and properly connected.
Charlie Shepherd — Vice Chairman Shepard questioned the bill’s definition of non-fire suppression activities, asking whether it includes brush clearing, fire prevention work, and other non-fire resources.
John Woude — John Woude asked for the names of the companies responsible for damaging infrastructure, in the context of the ongoing discussion and his role on the Broadband Advisory Board. The next mention is part of the same exchange, reflecting the response to his question.
John Woude — A representative identified as 'John Van der Rata' introduces himself as being from District 22 and presents SCR 119.
Dustin Manwaring — Dustin Manwaring was referenced as someone who might know the penalties, with one mention possibly misheard as 'Representative Matt Waring.' He then responded that he did not know the penalties offhand, but said the law should be reviewed and noted there appear to be compliance issues.
Dustin Manwaring — Representative Manwaring raised a question during consideration of the motion, focusing on several proposed rule changes from 'shall' to 'will' and expressing concern about the permissive effect of that wording change. The discussion continued as he elaborated on his concern, and then Ms. Connie responded directly to his question.
Dustin Manwaring — Made the motion to approve docket number 37-0312-2501.
Dustin Manwaring — Raised a question about the bill title not matching the language below it.
Douglas Pickett — Douglas Pickett recounted a Christmas Eve incident where a contractor cut off his valley’s water supply, then asked who would be liable for fixing such damage and whether current statutes are strong enough to address it. He also referenced having toured LOID a few years earlier and noted that the job has become much more difficult since then.
Douglas Pickett — The chair says Representative Van der Wada has another appointment at 2:30 and moves the resolution up on the agenda.
Marco Erickson — Addressed by name while the presentation transitions to the next speaker and slides.
Heather Scott — Likely the intended reference in the garbled 'Mr. Arrington' / 'Vice Chairman Shepard' exchange is unclear; no confident ID assigned for the speaker asking the question.
Mr. Wilson — Confirmed he was present and ready to proceed with the presentation.
Britt Raybould — Representative Britt Raybould moves to send Senate Concurrent Resolution 119 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Britt Raybould — Moved to approve Rule Docket 37-0204-2501.
Britt Raybould — Representative Raybould is identified and then asks Mr. Gullard whether the hundred-year flood concept is referenced elsewhere in the rule. The witness responds to her question, continuing the same exchange about where that concept appears in the rule.
Britt Raybould — Representative Braybold asked who has historically been paying for the events. In response, Representative Raybould said he did not know the answer and assumed those resources were not deployed.
Britt Raybould — Britt Raybould questioned the administrator about the bill’s open-ended language and the lack of clear statutory definitions for non-wildland fire suppression activities and reimbursable costs. She expressed concern about how prior deficiency warrants were handled and asked whether advance MOUs or contracts could be used to manage or hedge costs ahead of time instead of relying on a deficiency warrant after expenditures occur.
Mary Condon — Mary Condon introduces herself as a project management services supervisor for the Idaho Department of Water Resources and notes that she previously served as the Water Supply Bank coordinator.
Eric Boe — Eric Boe is introduced as Resource Protection Bureau Chief and Rules Review Officer.
Eric Boe — Eric Boe is introduced as assisting the presenter and is identified as the Resource Protection Bureau Chief and Rules and Regulations Officer for the Department of Water Resources.
Aaron Golart — Identified himself as Stream Channel Protection Section Manager for the Idaho Department of Water Resources and noted 20 years of experience.
Aaron Golard — Continued his introduction and identified the rule docket being presented.
Edward Hill — Representative Miller says shortening language can sacrifice clarity.
Steve Miller — Commented that the proposed language did not improve the definition or understanding and wanted to keep another change on the list.
Steve Miller — Representative Miller expresses discomfort that the revised language appears more restrictive and follows up by asking for examples of where the continuously flowing water definition would apply and how a more or less restrictive definition would affect those uses.
Steve Miller — Representative Steve Miller repeatedly questioned the fiscal impact of the proposal, asking whether it would extend seasonal workers’ employment, how cross-training would work, and what the bottom-line budget effect would be. He also pressed for clarification on reimbursable resources, including whether reimbursement would cover only actual expenses or also idle time, and how to weigh the overall cost-benefit balance.
— Representative Nelson asks whether one more clarification question would be appropriate before the motion.
Matt Anders — Matt Anders, the Planning and Project Section Supervisor for the Idaho Department of Water Resources, introduced himself and began presenting the proposed changes to the water administration rules in the Big Lost River Basin.
Brian Daniels — Brian Daniels is introduced as the Caldwell fire chief and then identifies himself on the record as the fire chief for the City of Caldwell and a representative of the Idaho Fire Chiefs Association.
Joe Palmer — Referenced in the discussion as the member asking about reimbursable expenses.
Chief Daniels — Chief Daniels explained that the bill would let Idaho use local and state resources for emergency needs with reimbursable funds, helping agencies recover costs for personnel, equipment, and other resources while keeping them whole during mutual aid. He clarified that the bill is intended to cover reimbursable or declared emergency incidents with federal, regional, or state support, and said it is limited to wildfire support rather than natural disasters. He also gave examples such as flooding and other emergencies, deferred some legal details to IDL, and said he did not know who historically paid for such resources, assuming they were not deployed.
James Petzke — Representative Petzke asked a series of related follow-up questions about what emergency-related expenses can be reimbursed, including whether fire equipment qualifies, and how similar costs are handled for non-fire situations. He then continued by asking who currently pays for flood-related deployments and what legal mechanism governs those payments.
James Petzke — Representative James Petzke questioned the reimbursement and funding mechanics of the proposal, asking whether the general fund would have to cover costs if reimbursement is delayed or does not come through, including in a flood scenario handled through the deficiency warrant process. He then followed up by asking whether expanding the scope would require additional replacement-item budget requests and increased year-round staffing capacity.
James Petzke — Representative Petzke discusses House Bill 746, initially moving to hold it in committee because he is concerned about the bill’s language and definitions. He says he appreciates the fire chiefs’ work and is open to finding a solution, but remains uneasy about the current wording. He then withdraws his original motion and moves to send the bill to amending order.
Julia Lott — Julia Lott was introduced as a representative from IDL, then identified herself as the Division Administrator of Forestry and Fire and Idaho State Forester with the Department of Lands. She began her testimony in support of House Bill 746, explaining that it would benefit Idaho and improve the state’s ability to assist during disasters.
Shawn Dygert — Representative Dygert asked whether the bill would allow resources to be brought in to help with flash floods and rescues in his county. The response said the bill is intended to cover reimbursable or declared emergency incidents, including those involving federal, regional, or state support, which would generally address that concern.
Ms. Lodge — Ms. Lodge explained how wildfire and emergency response costs are managed and reimbursed. She said reimbursements can take a long time, sometimes more than six months, but the department is expediting outstanding Forest Service bills and catching up. She noted that the impact of delayed reimbursement depends on whether the fire suppression fund enters deficiency warrant spending, and that this has not happened in recent years. She also described how reimbursable work can extend seasonal firefighters’ employment, while the department must be careful about preparedness spending authority because the general fund may have to carry costs until reimbursement arrives. In addition, she explained that equipment is charged rental rates that flow back into the wildfire equipment replacement fund, and that budgeting is difficult because the amount of emergency work is unpredictable. She further described the master cooperative fire agreement, Stafford Act mobilization, and supplemental project agreements, noting that the rental rate remains the same regardless of the type of work.
Sarah Betweiser — Said she was there to reiterate support from the Idaho Fire Chiefs Association and that Chief Daniels had delivered her testimony.
Sarah Betweiser — Ms. Sarah Betweiser is asked to announce herself again, then identifies herself as being with Cignet on behalf of the Idaho Fire Chiefs Association and indicates she is there to help fix the language.
Daniel Foreman — Shepard is referenced as having been present on a visit to the fire center, and then Shepard asks for clarification about whether IDL would repair pumps belonging to another organization and whether the discussion is about the same pumps.
Dori Healey — She supports sending the bill to amending orders and says it does not appear to authorize new programs or permanent spending.
Judy Boyle — Representative Boyle is introduced as the presenter for House Bill 746 and then immediately presents the bill to the committee, including a note about a correction in the fiscal note language.
Judy Boyle — Representative Judy Boyle explains that the bill has gone through many versions and that the language came from fire chiefs and emergency management rather than IDL. She says the bill is intended to help agencies and fire chiefs by allowing IDL resources and equipment to be used more efficiently, citing examples such as the Coeur d'Alene Fire Center and helping with issues like dead trees, debris, road and culvert damage, and equipment repairs. She clarifies that IDL would repair its own pumps and equipment instead of sending them out, saving money. The discussion then shifts briefly to procedure, with questions about whether the bill should be sent to amending order and whether the sponsor is open to amendments.
Brandon Rose — Brandon Rose of the Hayden Lake Irrigation District was introduced, then introduced himself and thanked the committee for support on a state revolving fund project. He went on to express concern about water being taken from Hayden Lake and Ponderay, noting the lack of exits from those lakes and tributaries. Later comments referenced Brandon’s situation in comparing groundwater conditions and noting shared right-of-way problems.
Barney Metz — Barney Metz is introduced as being with the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District and serving as its president, then identified as president of the Idaho Water Users Association this year. He then introduces himself as the general manager of the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District (LOID) and president of the Idaho Water Users Association, beginning his remarks on North Idaho water issues.