Bill > H0445

This bill appropriates funds to the Department of Water Resources for fiscal year 2026, totaling over $31 million in direct appropriations and an additional $30 million transfer, along with reappropriation authority. * **General Fund Appropriations for Department Operations:** The Department of Water Resources receives $31,097,700 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2026, covering personnel, operating expenditures, and capital outlay for its Management and Support Services, Planning and Technical Services, and Water Management programs. * **Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Position Increase:** The bill authorizes an increase of four (4.00) full-time equivalent positions for the Department of Water Resources for fiscal year 2026. * **Aquifer Planning and Management Fund Transfer:** $716,000 is transferred from the Revolving Development Fund to the Aquifer Planning and Management Fund for fiscal year 2026 to support aquifer monitoring, measurement, and modeling. * **Water Management Fund Transfer for Water Projects:** $30,000,000 is transferred from the General Fund to the Water Management Fund for fiscal year 2026 to be used for water projects, prioritizing aquifer recharge, water storage and conveyance systems, water supply improvements, and emergency repairs. A specific allocation is designated for board districts 3 and 4 to support the Eastern Snake Plain mitigation plan. * **Reappropriation of ARPA State Fiscal Recovery Fund:** Unexpended balances from the ARPA State Fiscal Recovery Fund for the Planning and Technical Services Program are reappropriated to the Department of Water Resources for non-recurring expenditures related to water infrastructure projects for fiscal year 2025, with the funding available through June 30, 2026. * **General Stream Adjudication Filing Fees:** Moneys appropriated from the General Fund for Idaho's general stream adjudications will count towards filing fees for water right claims filed by the Idaho Water Resource Board and the Governor, with provisions for excess funds and extensions if appropriations fall short.