[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",6325648,"mediaKeyId","2332496-f23e981c3289d83d3215b3249d4f8519","parentId",2332496,"title","Committee advances bill to require hearings, Dec. 1 deadline for water-management methodology changes","audioSeconds",100,"startMs",431005,"endMs",531441,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2332496-f23e981c3289d83d3215b3249d4f8519&start=431&end=531","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2332496-f23e981c3289d83d3215b3249d4f8519/thumbnail_431005.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6325648/Idaho/Committee-advances-bill-to-require-hearings-Dec-1-deadline-for-water-management-methodology-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325648-6d18bec25afc437da7cfc8fb9ef5cdd5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199306&Signature=hz7Uyko8r5MvGXxZQJiJRL3F2LlO-zaLQAEAuXDEfEGUNCafHgVYRjS9OxQsj2pbzl2GRW-IskXb79kZcDHpMTWJ5DpDYHjVEoQkDNSxCQ8Ce5BXUYT6o4HEFcB1bh~rOYZdz8AubfmWnBfo8lYuXBgazOsR7ITn093F4Alqe~L4g8wQX2k8kWyv5wbSicPr2yfw3RvOVPSwvg~V6qdpFCsGjtHfNb~qHtM4ofz~uEi9ZzSjqqwqp2TAuRuJ70HLz2vxa91L~qsrerfQfxZpNILZKh7HH6nUHEYrmVMxdcheAwA6elSeLILg405r~cdDjJInbLqxbP-olkw0eICHqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate of Idaho","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Resources & Environment Committee advanced Senate Bill 1061 after supporters said the measure would add predictability to how the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) sets methodology for conjunctive management of surface and groundwater on the Eastern Snake Plain.

Sponsor Senator Julie Van Orden said the bill was designed to avoid repeating a 2023 change in which the director issued a revised methodology late in spring, after irrigation decisions had already been made. \"A methodology order is akin to rulemaking because it defines, quote, unquote, the rules of the game,\" Van Orden told the committee, adding that farmers and irrigators need changes well before the irrigation season.

Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association, who helped craft the bill language with surface- and groundwater interests, described the methodology as the multi-step process the director uses to forecast water supply, set curtailments and issue as-applied orders for each water year. \"This bill... will provide a process that gives more predictability and certainty moving forward as it relates to the processes by which the Department of Water Resources implements conjunctive management on the Eastern Snake Plain,\" he said.

What the bill would do
- Require notice and an opportunity to request a hearing before IDWR issues a new or revised methodology order used to determine material injury under conjunctive-management rules.
- Require any final methodology order to be issued by Dec. 1 prior to the year in which the order takes effect, so irrigators can plan for planting and other operational decisions.

Why it matters
Supporters said the timing and procedural safeguards would reduce uncertainty for irrigators and reduce dispute escalation. Brian Murdock, a farmer who testified in support, described the provision as putting \"sideboards\" on the director’s authority and urged the committee to adopt the bill to give water users more predictable decision deadlines.

Next steps
The committee voted to send the bill to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation on a voice vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Resources & Environment Meeting February 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Resources & Environment Committee advanced Senate Bill 1061, which would require IDWR to give notice and hold a hearing before issuing a new methodology order for conjunctive management and to issue a final methodology no later than Dec. 1 before the year it takes effect.","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},6325657,"Committee backs notice, zoning and disclosure changes for state endowment commercial leases",497,2929000,3426000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2332496-f23e981c3289d83d3215b3249d4f8519&start=2929&end=3426","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2332496-f23e981c3289d83d3215b3249d4f8519/thumbnail_2929000.jpg","/articles/6325657/Idaho/Committee-backs-notice-zoning-and-disclosure-changes-for-state-endowment-commercial-leases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325657-a6b19a0f5dc18024db3a4c309d9d4c78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199306&Signature=PI5TEh0dG2NnfvXOI8lvQyrfJH5uFFCXA7aSu44FsaRr8PTv52YWBsxZv54yqQ5g9OKjvbELprlnOb1x85iWJW5Q1CYjx-LQnS-IXfxlaW-Pg-DbfTOJztEVVvhyu1HNOuZo~Gh2Fw3jzHy2WXqS5bYe1q8nvICkvSk2O5rGGQ8zy0yYCr61Agy2J4wQwiaBuTgcgJ8wQnO0ADWb0-z2ljZZijDkMerrygkyAXlmHWcRjC8zccF9GKcObN8IMgvv7thAiel28c86fmgW9pjp9m7aDAV8TO5fm8ay2koG5BCrPm6o-Ykk88qcs3bLJfVwwdpFEm8M~irtM4WYrXcydg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Resources & Environment Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 1062 after testimony from county and conservation representatives who said the bill would give local officials more notice and leverage when commercial enterprises operate on state endowment lands.

Senator Burton Shaw, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure aims to ease burdens that counties face when commercial operators on endowment lands install wastewater systems, roads and other infrastructure without local oversight. \"This bill is just tries to do 3 things,\" he said: notify county commissioners, require compliance with county planning and zoning for commercial uses, and make revenues from commercial agreements subject to public disclosure.

Jonathan Oppenheimer, government relations director for the Idaho Conservation League, testified in support and urged the committee to preserve both the endowment’s fiduciary duty and local planning consistency. \"I am pleased to be standing before you, in strong support of Senate Bill 10 62,\" Oppenheimer said, and he highlighted statutory language that already ties some state-endowment commercial uses to local planning processes.

Why it matters: Proponents said counties currently face infrastructure and enforcement burdens when commercial operations on endowment land locate in their jurisdictions without adequate notice. The bill would give counties an earlier chance to prepare for or raise concerns about commercial uses, and require permit-holders to follow local planning regulations.

Questions and concerns
Some senators said the bill could create tensions between state fiduciary obligations to endowment beneficiaries and county authority. Senator Cole said the measure may subordinate state authority to counties and signaled he may oppose the bill on the Senate floor.

Next steps
A motion to send the bill to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation carried on a voice vote. Several committee members said they would reserve final judgment on floor votes and pursue follow-up discussions with the sponsor.","Senate Resources & Environment Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 1062, proposing notice, zoning and disclosure requirements for commercial uses of state endowment lands.",{"_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},6325662,"Committee advances bill to create depredation appeals board for livestock losses",2576,344000,2920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2332496-f23e981c3289d83d3215b3249d4f8519&start=344&end=2920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2332496-f23e981c3289d83d3215b3249d4f8519/thumbnail_344000.jpg","/articles/6325662/Idaho/Committee-advances-bill-to-create-depredation-appeals-board-for-livestock-losses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325662-9368d71dcb9c4423483d53a5d97e491b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199306&Signature=VvNAr1yLP1wCPiJcr0zxuWrwckl93xm~Msa6kwLLnQoSz9MhjWV~j13kX4upco9eFrkbCUE2FErHpGODTHYd3iqvcSz--f-vvfXfgBR7MoNftsgqEEcGpTyraLEjglYYTtGM6-QXePB-PQnXKYLA1Sq3auNwmjO0kT54F0HC6voNQcdtXD6xR4hUSeFcqBfjeeFS72QDgA3jLNUiuFSHSGGkFzoc9EwDndDCpk-fb-LePL3SH-nrRSo2I~dIi~SKLP1Amz-eJ~Jc96Qbdr531jFzSGDZLZ8LolJFn8HMOzz2Yhmt75NCLPWylmcZ3plptG1iEKYzpZWKs4SzEll91g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Resources & Environment Committee advanced Senate Bill 1012 on a voice vote after proponents said the measure would give livestock producers a second review when federal or state investigators decline to confirm predator kills.

Supporters said the appeals board would let ranchers seek state reimbursements and — because recent federal grant guidance allows state-authorized investigators — access federal funds when state review confirms a kill. \"For the longest time, only wildlife services could confirm the — could be the investigative authority for us to be able to access that funding,\" said Dexton Lake, who testified for the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation. \"We feel like with this board, we can access federal funding.\"

The bill would establish a three-member appeal board composed of experts (testimony named a representative from the Idaho Department of Agriculture, a Fish and Game member and a veterinarian appointed by the governor), let producers submit documentary evidence instead of requiring on-site re-examination, and permit the board to meet in a closed session to protect producers’ locations when necessary. Committee testimony described the panel’s reviews as paper-based in most cases because carcasses often are gone by the time an appeal is filed.

Why it matters: Producers said confirmed findings drive payments and management tools. Proponents said producers can lose both compensation and management responses when Wildlife Services declines to confirm a kill. Phil Davis, a rancher from Cascade who testified, urged the change: \"I absolutely support because we need another set of eyes on these because Wildlife Services is not being objective on their investigations.\"

Key details from testimony
- Funding: Witnesses said the state set aside $225,000 last year (House Bill 592): $150,000 for depredation reimbursements and $75,000 for prevention work. Dexton Lake testified about federal funding cycles and said recent federal allotments have varied; he described a recent federal funding cycle as low ($25,000) compared with other cycles.
- Payment threshold: The bill would allow payments on claims categorized as \"confirmed,\" \"probable,\" and — when funds remain — \"possible,\" with payments prorated by available funds and claim counts.
- Board process: Appeals would be document-driven; hearings could be virtual; identifying information of appellants could be protected, though the amounts disbursed would remain public.

Concerns and committee discussion
Committee members asked whether the appeal board would interfere with federal jurisdiction and whether state payments would duplicate federal reimbursements. Senator Burton Shaw and witnesses explained that federal funding typically follows a Wildlife Services confirmation but that grant language now allows state-authorized investigators in some cases. Senator Taylor flagged transparency and cost concerns, saying his \"biggest concern\" was \"the spending of public dollars and the fact that the appeals would be done behind closed doors.\" Committee supporters said the closed meeting provision protects producer privacy, not payment transparency.

Next steps
A motion to send the bill to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation carried on a voice vote. The transcript did not record a roll-call tally in the committee record.","Senate Resources & Environment Committee advanced Senate Bill 1012 on a voice vote after proponents said the measure would give livestock producers a second review when federal or state investigators decline to confirm predator kills.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325652,"Committee advances bill clarifying criminal trespass when land access is conditional",0,5160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2332496-f23e981c3289d83d3215b3249d4f8519&start=5160&end=5160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2332496-f23e981c3289d83d3215b3249d4f8519/thumbnail_5160000.jpg","/articles/6325652/Idaho/Committee-advances-bill-clarifying-criminal-trespass-when-land-access-is-conditional","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325652-25d883d98fe79e2d0d9ecbadd1956b79/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199306&Signature=lNPsohem2Xv935Mk88v6FNXr~7ZvuEKBct6au9RMLP39FC7-SkeC9eWszItqvrFSvyJtgIf6M45s4-38SIsYCSUBX~prcseEJo6K05OviY0sDpB2Ie1Chy7MItNebJEWfc7zaO5KpaNnrH7FUwGPo~YTeJfejzosLtS-ifo3cDPfbglQybDu0r5rnBKAH18BQ78Fzu8Dm6iChWBa2JK1RrsiiqSxq6NmW55oW9LcR1eJHRnLOz00cWjrSePKq6k6yN36yaLjdTxCndCLkNUqGvDyAYLL9VEcofGTA5axMALAPRhSXyDg0GNaqQpaU20JvdtZcG3dUrJcOBiGOFqIoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Resources & Environment Committee advanced Senate Bill 1086 after proponents said the measure clarifies when criminal trespass applies if a landowner or a governmental agency grants access subject to conditions.

Sponsor Senator Mark Harris said the bill is aimed at off-trail motorized damage and spring closures. \"What this deals or the problem this is fixing is some off trail travel that's been a problem and seasonal closures,\" he told the committee. The legislation clarifies that when permission is granted with terms or limitations and notice is posted, violating those terms can support a trespass citation.

David Claiborne, representing the Idaho Recreation Council and the Idaho State ATV Association, told the committee the change is meant to resolve inconsistent enforcement by sheriffs: \"What we're trying to do is make it very clear in code that in these situations where the landowner puts some terms or conditions on the entry ... and if the recreationist violates those terms or conditions ... a trespass ticket can be written.\"

Scope and mechanics
The bill would apply to both public and private lands where permission is granted subject to posted conditions, and it defines notices and landowner terms that can form the basis for criminal trespass charges. Witnesses and the sponsor said the bill would not criminalize accidental trespass where notice was not provided.

Concerns
Some senators asked for time to review current trespass statutes before supporting final passage. Senator Cook said she would vote against the committee motion until she and others could examine the existing statutes more closely. Senator O'Connell said the measure largely clarifies enforcement choices made by some sheriffs rather than creating new criminal exposure where notice is absent.

Next steps
A motion to send the bill to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation carried on a voice vote; several committee members reserved floor votes pending further review of current trespass code.","Senate Bill 1086 passed committee to clarify criminal trespass when landowners or public-land managers permit access but impose terms (for example, stay on trail). Sponsors said the change addresses inconsistent enforcement by some sheriffs and aims to protect trails and permitted access by enabling citations when conditions are violated.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances bill to require hearings, Dec. 1 deadline for water-management methodology changes

Committee backs notice, zoning and disclosure changes for state endowment commercial leases

Committee advances bill to create depredation appeals board for livestock losses

Committee advances bill clarifying criminal trespass when land access is conditional