Dustin Manwaring — Representative Boyle asked whether Representative Manwaring knew the penalties for the do-not-dig law. Manwaring responded that he did not know the penalties offhand, but noted that the law is in place and should be followed, adding that there appear to be issues with compliance.
Dustin Manwaring — Representative Dustin Manwaring asked a quick question about the proposed rule changes, focusing on why the language was changed from 'shall' to 'will' in six instances.
Dustin Manwaring — Made the motion to approve docket 37-0312-2501.
Dustin Manwaring — Asked to sponsor a question before the witness wrapped up and raised a title-language concern.
Britt Raybould — Britt Raybould is mentioned as part of the group of committee members and representatives being addressed and thanked.
Britt Raybould — Britt Raybould is identified in the discussion and then formally moves Senate Concurrent Resolution 119 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, with the transcript containing a couple of misrendered references to her name in between.
Britt Raybould — Moved to approve Rule Docket 37-0204-2501.
Britt Raybould — Addressed by name in the exchange about where the 100-year flood concept appears in the rule.
Britt Raybould — Representative Britt Raybould asked for clarification on who has historically paid the costs and how the partnership with IDL has functioned up to now, including whether costs were actually being covered or whether the resources simply had not been deployed.
Britt Raybould — Representative Britt Raybould questioned the administrator about prior deficiency warrants and raised concern that the bill is too open-ended without statutory definitions. She noted that prior deficiency warrants were clear, but this bill does not define terms such as non-wildland fire suppression activities or reimbursable costs, and asked who would make those determinations without a definition in statute.
Stephanie Mickelsen — Stephanie Mickelsen is mentioned as part of a general acknowledgment of the committee members and representatives present, with the speaker thanking those in attendance.
Jack Nelsen — Jack Nelsen is mentioned as part of a general acknowledgment of the committee members and representatives present, with the speaker thanking those in attendance.
Jack Nelsen — Jack Nelsen raised concern about the 'continuous flowing water' definition on page 190, warning that it may be overly broad and could unintentionally capture ordinary agricultural conditions such as farm fields with seasonal ponds, small seeps, puddles, or minor water movement toward a river.
Jack Nelsen — Representative Jack Nelsen asks for clarification about what counts as locally sourced material for habitat improvement, with surrounding references indicating he is the member being addressed in the exchange.
Douglas Pickett — Douglas Pickett is mentioned as part of a broader acknowledgment of the committee members and representatives present, with the speaker addressing and thanking those in attendance.
Douglas Pickett — Representative Douglas Pickett described an incident where a contractor cut off his valley’s water supply on Christmas Eve and asked who would be liable for fixing such damage, including whether current statutes are strong enough to address that kind of contractor-caused harm.
Jerald Raymond — Jerald Raymond is mentioned as part of the committee members being addressed and then again among the representatives being thanked, reflecting a single continuous moment of acknowledgment.
Josh Tanner — Josh Tanner is mentioned as part of the group of committee members and representatives being addressed and thanked in a brief acknowledgment.
Steve Miller — Steve Miller is included in a general acknowledgment of the committee members and representatives present.
Steve Miller — Steve Miller questions the revised wording, saying he does not understand it and that it is not clearer. He then expands on the same concern, arguing that efforts to shorten the language sacrifice clarity and make the change confusing.
Steve Miller — Was called on after the braided-stream explanation; the transcript then shifts to a light being on/off exchange.
Steve Miller — Said the proposed language on Rule 05 does not improve clarity and should be kept on the list for further consideration.
Steve Miller — Representative Steve Miller questions whether the revised definition of 'flowing water' is more restrictive, says the change appears more restrictive to him, and asks for clarification and examples of where the term is used.
Steve Miller — Representative Miller asked a series of related follow-up questions about the proposal’s fiscal and operational effects, including whether it would extend seasonal workers’ employment, how cross-training would work, and how the budget impact and reimbursement calculations would be handled. He pressed for clarification on whether reimbursement would cover only actual expenses or also account for idle time and other costs, and asked for the basis of the budget approach.
Shawn Dygert — Shawn Dygert is mentioned as part of the committee members being addressed and then again among the representatives being thanked, reflecting a single brief acknowledgment of the group.
Shawn Dygert — Representative Shawn Dygert sought clarification on Rule 05, first asking about the meaning of the first paragraph concerning continuously flowing water, then following up on the same section by asking about the change from 'migration and movement of fish' to 'fish habitat.'
Shawn Dygert — Asked whether the bill would allow resources to be used for flash flood rescues and support from other places.
James Petzke — James Petzke is mentioned as part of a general acknowledgment of the committee and the representatives present, with the speaker thanking those in attendance.
James Petzke — Asked for examples of what expenses might be covered under the bill.
James Petzke — Asked whether reimbursable expenses could include fire equipment.
James Petzke — Referenced in follow-up discussion about examples of non-fire-related support.
James Petzke — Asked who currently pays for flood-related response and what legal mechanism applies.
James Petzke — Representative Petzke asks a series of related questions about the reimbursement process and fiscal exposure: whether unreimbursed expenses would fall to the general fund, how a future flood/deficiency warrant process might affect the general fund before reimbursement is received, and whether expanding the scope of work would lead to additional replacement-item or budget requests because equipment like pumps would be used more often.
James Petzke — Representative James Petzke moved to hold House Bill 746 in committee, explaining concerns about the bill’s language and its limits on deficiency warrants. He then withdrew that original motion and moved to send the bill to amending order, continuing the same procedural discussion of how the committee should handle the bill.
Mark Sauter — Mark Sauter is mentioned as part of the group of committee members and representatives being addressed and thanked during the meeting.
Dori Healey — Dori Healey is mentioned as part of a general acknowledgment of the committee and the representatives present, with both references occurring in the context of addressing and thanking the members in attendance.
Dori Healey — Supported sending the bill to amending orders and said the bill does not appear to authorize new programs or permanent spending.
Soñia Galaviz — So ia Galaviz is mentioned twice in a short span as part of the committee/representatives being addressed and thanked, with no substantive topic shift between the references.
Monica Church — Monica Church is mentioned as part of a general acknowledgment of the committee members and representatives present, with the speaker thanking those in attendance.
Brandon Rose — Brandon Rose of the Hayden Lake Irrigation District is introduced and invited to speak, then begins his testimony by identifying himself and thanking the committee for its support on a state revolving fund project. He continues by describing the district’s operational improvements and how it has transformed over the last 40 years.
Brandon Rose — Metz contrasted his district's groundwater situation with Brandon Rose's situation.
Barney Metz — Barney Metz is introduced as being with the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District and serving as its president, and he later introduces himself as the general manager of the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District (LOID) and president of the Idaho Water Users Association.
Ron Wilson — Introduced as a virtual presenter from East Green Acres Irrigation District.
Ron Wilson — Ron Wilson, manager of East Green Acres Irrigation District in Post Falls, Idaho, introduced himself, thanked the committee, and then continued his presentation after brief audio/video setup issues. He went on to discuss the district’s aging infrastructure, including a 20-inch main line and coordination with the City of Post Falls through an MOU related to sewer work and protection of the line.
Mr. Rose — Concluded his presentation on Hayden Lake water supply and asked what is being done to the lakes and tributaries.
Mr. Metz — Described the proposed Clearwater River pump station and thanked the committee for the opportunity to speak.
Mr. Wilson — Confirmed he was present and ready to proceed with slides.
Ron Wilson, East Green Acres Irrigation District — Ron Wilson of East Green Acres Irrigation District testified about the district’s aging infrastructure and grant-funded improvements, including enclosing wells, upgrading pump controls, adding emergency power and CCTV security, and replacing about 43 miles of water main at an estimated cost of $3.5 million. He described the district’s size and service area, including 5,500 connections, nearly 11,000 people served, agricultural acreage, and pressure from surrounding urban growth, noting that crossing agreements with nearby cities help avoid overwhelming costs and litigation. Wilson then shifted to workforce shortages after COVID and explained how the district partnered with Idaho Rural Water Association and apprenticeship programs, supported by Department of Labor grants, to train unlicensed hires and reduce DEQ education requirements. He also discussed the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, the Idaho-Washington Aquifer Collaborative, and DEQ-supported education and water-model work, before concluding with concerns about fiber-optic construction damaging utility infrastructure, criticizing permit oversight and field supervision, and urging better separation of utilities in rights-of-way.
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 — He is identified as the Resource Protection Bureau Chief and Rules Review Officer for the department.