[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6355910,"mediaKeyId","2217488-54bd8cbb1590e382ac87714d206855d7","parentId",2217488,"title","Committee approves hunter-education and spearfishing rule dockets, holds game-zone rule for follow-up","audioSeconds",838,"startMs",1530725,"endMs",2368980,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2217488-54bd8cbb1590e382ac87714d206855d7&start=1530&end=2368","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2217488-54bd8cbb1590e382ac87714d206855d7/thumbnail_1530725.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6355910/Idaho/Committee-approves-hunter-education-and-spearfishing-rule-dockets-holds-game-zone-rule-for-follow-up","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355910-60a6feccb8aad69b43196e1bd77a5289/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450815&Signature=RnQKlDVrYorK2SMJhkjvJTZS~ggZw99Zpvr8gcZofAZ9h2eJLimapID-kcqVJHG2ExgLmZHvFUZ~L7iSBOIlk~29LOQu4XfhC5xUK~3bVmtHJv1FM8PziXJmPS1mYeu9Fes8gJ5y2FFOxPMX-GfdA0NPg5zPpgCbjXCGz54CVpjEZAYlo8kWu5ZZX-MNty9hp1xZX6TceY~LVwmowMN77kIVq1ors8mx39hL0pSHYbNolJwwp2k9DubvNDYCkFMDezrZEau172FpHGb~yDqF5MsNah7tmsHROGqIt8oJvneMzJKT9Wbj5QLZ~15ITpbu8qf7YaIz~TC55CVMTLS-zQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate of Idaho","date","2025-01-29T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Resources & Environment Committee approved two Fish and Game rule dockets and held a third for additional review.

Amber Worthington, deputy director of programs and policy for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, presented three dockets. The committee approved docket 13-0102-2401, a temporary and pending rule requiring passage of an online test to support black bear hunting traditions while reducing mistaken identity of grizzly bears. Worthington said the test — currently available from Montana and Washington or through a new Idaho online exam — is brief: \"For instance it took me only 4 minutes to do the test. Studying is about 13 minutes,\" she said. Senator Guthrie asked about pass/fail mechanics; Worthington said applicants may retake the test until they pass and that the pass threshold is 80 percent.

The committee held docket 13-0107-2401, which would change boundaries of four game management zones (Owyhee, Boise River, Big Desert and Snake River) and add language reaffirming the state's position that the federal government cannot commandeer Idaho personnel to enforce federal wildlife take laws. Several senators asked whether language of that kind belonged in statute rather than rule; the committee voted to hold the docket at the call of the chair to allow follow-up and clarification.

The committee approved docket 13-0111-2401, which adds a definition for spearfishing to distinguish underwater spearfishing from above-water spear use and clarifies that unprotected fish may still be taken by certain methods when seasons are open. Worthington said the spearfishing changes resulted from a petition and negotiated rulemaking with interested parties in North Idaho.

Votes: the committee approved dockets 13-0102-2401 and 13-0111-2401; docket 13-0107-2401 was held for further review. For docket 13-0102-2401 a single negative vote was recorded in the transcript (one senator said \"Nay\").","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Resources & Environment Meeting January 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Resources & Environment Committee approved two rule dockets from the Department of Fish and Game — a mandatory online education test for black bear hunters and a spearfishing definition and related gear clarifications — and held a separate docket revising game management zone boundaries for follow-up questions.","taxTitle","Resources & Environment, SENATE, Committees, Legislative, Idaho","taxId",57315,"location","Idaho","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6355916,"Senate committee hears from gubernatorial appointee Mike Roach and reappointed commissioner Ron Davies",393,501400,894899,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2217488-54bd8cbb1590e382ac87714d206855d7&start=501&end=894","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2217488-54bd8cbb1590e382ac87714d206855d7/thumbnail_501400.jpg","/articles/6355916/Idaho/Senate-committee-hears-from-gubernatorial-appointee-Mike-Roach-and-reappointed-commissioner-Ron-Davies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355916-12068f9175854934ee820ebefa835cbc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450815&Signature=Uu8nFsAmTc-tFH2du5tynta49PgGbNGRsVhDRQyvWIUYLykscheMAzQhJGNtK09AHu2K3eUtqqzYLBFLQ~sIgDnSxeIa4cWCkMf47~SK~HizVS30QTHqj9m-sPm6EzOuDE-OHN6Sj7~yhsVTlxudjgjfnF0EqQxsqTmkL60vUgoKD~tuHXDRTLG9iQfDvDftA7aBDCxXd9oy7fTVcSHPQAPuxgoT4Htc0zhOYyOQ~ML1NKBzpHoqNBuZBh-0YVYjtGs79h2MrY4uPdRqm4P1tt1zJ3SrQ~sS-YTwU6uHXeGgFpLw1r4Uh9wcgInoDWcp8oUoxvy3IwnHVMuIpX-Hgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Resources & Environment Committee heard from Mike Roach, a gubernatorial appointee to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission, and from Ron Davies, who was introduced for reappointment to the commission. The committee held the appearances for future consideration and did not take confirmation votes during the hearing.

Mike Roach introduced himself as a lifelong Idaho resident from Fairfield with a degree in wildlife fisheries from the University of Idaho and experience working summers for Fish and Game in the 1970s. \"I'm really excited to work with my fellow commissioners,\" Roach said, noting he has attended two commission meetings since his appointment and described the commission as having \"a very, varied background\" among members.

Ron Davies, who said he lives in Clayton and served as the commission chairman for several months, described his background as a retired firefighter paramedic from Pocatello and said his \"avid passion\" for hunting and fishing is his primary asset to the commission.

Committee members questioned both men on management priorities. Senator Cook asked Roach what he considered the commission's biggest challenge; Roach answered: \"manage[ment] — being able to manage the resources,\" citing elk and deer and noting that federal Endangered Species Act constraints play a role in some areas. On grizzly bear management, Commissioner Davies said federal litigation has limited Idaho's ability to fully implement state management options and that the department is \"aware\" of growing human-bear interactions in some regions.

The committee did not record a confirmation vote. Vice Chair Hart indicated the panel typically waits a few days and then takes up appointments to move them to the full Senate for approval or disapproval.","The committee heard introductory remarks and questions for gubernatorial appointee Mike Roach and for Ron Davies, up for reappointment, both for seats on the Idaho Fish and Game Commission. The committee did not vote on either appointment at the hearing.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6355921,"Senate committee backs printing of RS 31978 to extend lateral dispute authority to canal companies",250,246335,496745,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2217488-54bd8cbb1590e382ac87714d206855d7&start=246&end=496","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2217488-54bd8cbb1590e382ac87714d206855d7/thumbnail_246335.jpg","/articles/6355921/Idaho/Senate-committee-backs-printing-of-RS-31978-to-extend-lateral-dispute-authority-to-canal-companies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355921-2ec1374f57383c3010a3dd133feaff7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450815&Signature=Ew7S3FtHY3iZr7CUaOHg0QiUsG8fkHukEM6eyQLGnwpGfSOXV-ePTz4x~Q349pLx4Rl9yO8Hcl-Cqgob4rmsJc0r3GFLlohhHqlqAceyYi03kFYx2syROR9lZIOn3PnMvT-pHXYEGKe90RW5XYAPVUWU4T6I8ls5glEDV7Fgnnfz8v-13BrYY~yyoulvYPaOhLsbVpUdpLpJD17wA6LHulMTeRpnkW71IzxS0Kc~UpCJ2AkbpL-w4hyERxNhGsXXvLF971F56ocRR~yCysvBmmCl3qePkXgndYdHK5O9Q2Vxe1tVRuzkOT3bkqQCanVBIGcGHmc1dRtx0KTR8CmaMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Resources & Environment Committee voted to print RS 31978, a proposed amendment that would let canal companies and other irrigation entities receive petitions from users on laterals and help resolve disputes over lateral management.

Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association told the committee that current Idaho code allows irrigation districts to receive petitions and appoint managers for disputed laterals but does not explicitly give that authority to canal companies. \"The main substantive change is allowing canal companies and other irrigation entities who manage the main canals to also receive those petitions,\" Arrington said, noting the change stemmed from complaints by water users in the Wood River Valley.

Senator Guthrie asked whether the amendment would disrupt local administrative arrangements where canal companies and laterals are run as a single unit; Arrington replied it would not, saying the change would not affect existing local agreements on billing or maintenance. Senator Guthrie then moved to introduce RS 31978; Senator Taylor seconded. The motion to send the request to print was approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition in the transcript.

If printed and formally introduced, RS 31978 would allow canal companies that operate main canals to help appoint managers for troubled laterals, and add updated terminology such as \"conduit\" to reflect piped laterals. Arrington said the change is intended to reflect modern infrastructure and address disputes where canal companies are already being asked by lateral users for assistance.","The committee voted to print RS 31978, which would amend state law so canal companies and other irrigation entities can accept petitions from users on laterals (private branches off main canals) seeking help appointing managers or resolving disputes.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6355924,"Committee agrees to print bill to let irrigation districts contract for recharge projects",102,103575,205875,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2217488-54bd8cbb1590e382ac87714d206855d7&start=103&end=205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2217488-54bd8cbb1590e382ac87714d206855d7/thumbnail_103575.jpg","/articles/6355924/Idaho/Committee-agrees-to-print-bill-to-let-irrigation-districts-contract-for-recharge-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355924-e8dc548ef6d22015dd6933d4475de4a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450816&Signature=VAMAhJwSKMNVC286uGCwwUAxDH92BXNwnHrV3jrA0Vv169ROntVtmKLlytMt5eAxLt4ZLseVgZ8ntDUWjSFuADNK-Phl1Hv6fcVK1YIgXCmIK4Q9XkZNII98vYJprfTTmmWZjugamJ6s0uF8R1NOg1pY6X1PTmWqDZEUiUdZW2jA-xH9SiPYim~g5QBIHtrHwow47rC3i-KB53r8YwTwkv9cnuf5gQiEQJy84YhqSoVAhRSbdM2g9aQnDV2Gzv-5vQXYWks~n9e~jMExU7aKYcxmJEXheXJBvtLsmNLuKFEjMdRE98ZUBnTkyNkBo0rujbTXM00ElVqLPvzxaX84zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vice Chair Hart convened the Senate Resources & Environment Committee and the panel voted to print RS 31977, a proposed change to Idaho law to allow irrigation districts to enter certain contracts related to groundwater recharge projects.

The measure was presented by Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association, who told the committee a strict reading of existing statutes could prevent irrigation districts that partner in recharge efforts from contracting when board members are groundwater users and could benefit. \"We are worried that a strict reading of that law would prevent irrigation districts who are partners in these recharge efforts from engaging in those processes because some board members are groundwater users who benefit,\" Arrington said. He said RS 31977 would permit such contracts \"so long as those board members who may be interested receive none of the profits of that.\"

The bill sponsor asked the committee to send the proposed statute to print so it can advance through the legislative process. Senator K moved to introduce RS 31977; Senator Sessions seconded. The committee approved the motion by voice vote with no recorded opposition on the floor at that time.

The committee did not take a final vote on the underlying policy; printing a request (sending a request to print) permits drafting and further consideration in subsequent hearings. Arrington said the change is intended to allow districts to participate in recharge partnerships while guarding against private profit to board members.

The committee provided no additional legislative language during the hearing. If printed, the bill would proceed to drafting and later committee consideration where fiscal notes, amendments and final votes would be recorded.","The Senate Resources & Environment Committee voted to print RS 31977, which would create a narrow exception allowing irrigation districts to enter contracts related to recharge activities even when district board members also benefit as groundwater users, provided those members receive none of the profits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves hunter-education and spearfishing rule dockets, holds game-zone rule for follow-up

Senate committee hears from gubernatorial appointee Mike Roach and reappointed commissioner Ron Davies

Senate committee backs printing of RS 31978 to extend lateral dispute authority to canal companies

Committee agrees to print bill to let irrigation districts contract for recharge projects