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

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.