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Bill > S1307

ID S1307

ID S1307
Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to provide for the delivery of water.

summary

Introduced
02/16/2026
In Committee
03/04/2026
Crossed Over
03/03/2026
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

RELATING TO DELIVERY OF WATER; REPEALING CHAPTER 9, TITLE 42, IDAHO CODE, RELATING TO DISTRIBUTION OF WATER TO CONSUMERS; AMENDING CHAPTER 12, TITLE 42, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 42-1210, IDAHO CODE, TO ESTABLISH PROVISIONS FOR THE DAMAGE OF HEADGATES; AMENDING CHAPTER 12, TITLE 42, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 42-1211, IDAHO CODE, TO ESTABLISH LIABILITY FOR THE WASTE OF WATER; REPEALING SECTION 42-1301, IDAHO CODE, RELATING TO LATERAL DITCH WATER USERS' ASSOCIATIONS ORGANIZATION; REPEALING SECTION 42-1302, IDAHO CODE, RELATING TO LATERAL MANAGERS; REPEALING SECTION 42-1303, IDAHO CODE, RELATING TO LATERAL DITCHES; REPEALING SECTION 42-1304, IDAHO CODE, RELATING TO ASSESSMENTS; REPEALING SECTION 42-1305, IDAHO CODE, RELATING TO DELINQUENT USERS; REPEALING SECTION 42-1306, IDAHO CODE, RELATING TO THE COLLECTION AND DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS; REPEALING SECTION 42-1307, IDAHO CODE, RELATING TO ACTION FOR ASSESSMENTS AND ATTORNEYS' FEES; REPEALING SECTION 42-1308, IDAHO CODE, RELATING TO APPOINTMENT OF LATERAL MANAGERS BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES; REPEALING SECTION 42-1309, IDAHO CODE, RELATING TO THE ASSOCIATION'S ABILITY TO BORROW MONEY; REPEALING SECTION 42-1313, IDAHO CODE, RE- LATING TO THE DEFINITION OF WATER USERS; AMENDING CHAPTER 13, TITLE 42, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 42-1301, IDAHO CODE, TO DEFINE TERMS; AMENDING CHAPTER 13, TITLE 42, IDAHO CODE, BY THE AD- DITION OF A NEW SECTION 42-1302, IDAHO CODE, TO ESTABLISH PROVISIONS REGARDING THE LATERAL WATER USERS' ASSOCIATION ORGANIZATION, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND THE LATERAL MANAGER; AMENDING CHAPTER 13, TITLE 42, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 42-1303, IDAHO CODE, TO ESTABLISH PROVISIONS REGARDING THE LATERAL MANAGER; AMENDING CHAPTER 13, TITLE 42, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 42-1304, IDAHO CODE, TO ESTABLISH PROVISIONS FOR ALTERNATIVE APPOINTMENT OF THE LATERAL MANAGER BY A WATER DELIVERY ORGANIZATION; AMENDING CHAP- TER 13, TITLE 42, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 42-1305, IDAHO CODE, TO ESTABLISH PROVISIONS FOR ALTERNATIVE APPOINTMENT OF THE LATERAL MANAGER BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES; AMENDING CHAPTER 13, TITLE 42, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SEC- TION 42-1306, IDAHO CODE, TO ESTABLISH PROVISIONS FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF LATERALS BY THE ASSOCIATION; AMENDING CHAPTER 13, TITLE 42, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 42-1307, IDAHO CODE, TO ESTABLISH PROVISIONS REGARDING ASSESSMENTS; AMENDING CHAPTER 13, TITLE 42, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 42-1308, IDAHO CODE, TO ESTABLISH PROVISIONS REGARDING DELINQUENT USERS; AMENDING CHAPTER 13, TITLE 42, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 42-1309, IDAHO CODE, TO ESTABLISH PROVISIONS REGARDING THE COLLECTION AND DIS- BURSEMENT OF FUNDS; AMENDING CHAPTER 13, TITLE 42, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 42-1310, IDAHO CODE, TO ESTABLISH PROVISIONS FOR ACTIONS FOR COLLECTION OF DELINQUENT ASSESSMENTS AND ATTORNEY'S FEES; AMENDING SECTION 42-1311, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS RE- GARDING THE AMOUNT OF ASSESSMENTS; AMENDING CHAPTER 13, TITLE 42, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 42-1312, IDAHO CODE, TO ESTAB- LISH PROVISIONS REGARDING THE ASSOCIATION'S AUTHORIZATION TO BORROW MONEY OR MORTGAGE OR PLEDGE ASSETS; AMENDING SECTION 42-1312, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS REGARDING WITHDRAWAL FROM A LATERAL WATER USERS' ASSOCIATION AND TO REDESIGNATE THE SECTION; AMENDING SECTION 42-1310, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS REGARDING WATER DELIVERY OR- GANIZATIONS MAINTAINING AND REPAIRING LATERALS AND TO REDESIGNATE THE SECTION; AMENDING CHAPTER 13, TITLE 42, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 42-1315, IDAHO CODE, TO ESTABLISH PROVISIONS REGARDING DIVERSION STRUCTURES AND MEASURING DEVICES; AMENDING SECTION 18-4310, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS REGARDING INTERFERENCE WITH THE DE- LIVERY OF WATER; AMENDING SECTION 43-404A, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE A CODE REFERENCE AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

AI Summary

This bill aims to modernize and clarify the laws governing water delivery in Idaho by repealing outdated provisions and enacting new ones. It establishes new rules for the damage of headgates, making individuals liable for triple the actual damages sustained if they wrongfully divert water, shut or open gates, cut ditches, or break structures without consent from a water delivery organization, lateral manager, or watermaster. The bill also introduces liability for the willful or wanton waste of water that causes damage to another's property. A significant portion of the bill focuses on the organization and operation of "lateral water users' associations," which are groups of water users sharing a common lateral (a ditch, canal, or conduit not operated by a main water delivery organization). These associations will now have defined structures for electing boards of directors and lateral managers, who are responsible for distributing water. The bill outlines alternative methods for appointing a lateral manager if an association fails to do so, including appointment by the water delivery organization that supplies the lateral or, in certain cases, by the Director of the Department of Water Resources. It also details provisions for the maintenance and repair of laterals, the assessment of costs to water users, and procedures for handling delinquent assessments, including the potential loss of water rights until assessments are paid. Furthermore, the bill grants lateral water users' associations the authority to borrow money or pledge assets, subject to a vote by their members. Finally, it clarifies the responsibilities of water delivery organizations to provide diversion structures and measuring devices and revises laws related to interference with water delivery and contracts for water infrastructure improvements.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice

Sponsors (0)

No sponsors listed

Other Sponsors (1)

Resources and Environment Committee (Senate)

Last Action

Read First Time, Referred to Resources & Conservation (on 03/04/2026)

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