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Senate extends authority to appoint lateral managers beyond irrigation districts
Summary
Senate Bill 10-41, which allows irrigation districts, canal companies and similar entities to appoint lateral (distribution) managers and updates terminology to include enclosed conduits, passed the Idaho Senate 35-0 on Feb. 18, 2025.
Senate Bill 10-41 passed the Idaho Senate unanimously, 35-0, on Feb. 18, 2025. The bill broadens authority that currently resides only with irrigation districts to also include canal companies and similar irrigation-delivery entities to appoint managers responsible for distribution along laterals or ditches.
Sen. Taylor, the floor sponsor, said existing law authorized irrigation districts to appoint a distribution manager when lateral users could not resolve disputes; the bill extends that same authority to canal companies and similar entities. The proposal also updates terminology to recognize conduits—piped laterals—reflecting conservation and modernization practices.
"What we're attempting to do on this particular piece of legislation is to provide irrigation districts, canal companies, and other entities that same authority," Taylor said, noting that many laterals are now piped and that the bill changes language from "ditch" to "conduit" to encompass enclosed systems.
The Senate approved the bill’s title and will transmit SB 10-41 to the House of Representatives.
