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Committee approves change to let lateral users petition canal companies or other irrigation entities
Summary
Senate Bill 1041 would add canal companies and other irrigation entities to the list of bodies that lateral water‑users can petition to appoint a manager, clarifying that piped conduits are covered; the committee sent the bill to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation.
Senate Bill 1041 would amend Idaho law to allow landowners served by a lateral (a private side ditch or piped conduit fed from a canal or irrigation company) to petition not only irrigation districts but also canal companies and other irrigation entities to appoint a manager when lateral users cannot agree among themselves.
Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association told the committee the change addresses a gap in statute: currently the relief to petition for a manager is only explicitly available when the delivering entity is an irrigation district. He said many lateral systems are served by canal companies or other entities, and the bill adds the phrase “canal company or other irrigation entity” and also adds the word “conduit” to ensure piped laterals are included.
Senator Van Orden asked whether piped laterals remain covered; Arrington confirmed the addition of “conduit” was intentional so that piped systems are not excluded. Senator Van Orden moved to send SB 1041 to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation; Senator Cook seconded the motion. The committee approved the motion by voice vote.
Proponents said the bill clarifies and harmonizes statutory relief for lateral users across delivery entity types and recognizes modernization where laterals may be piped rather than open ditches.
