Committee votes to send H 789 — a Coeur d'Alene Tribe water‑rights settlement — to the House floor

The House Resources & Conservation Committee voted March 5 to send H 789 to the full House with a DO PASS recommendation. Norm Semanko, representing Parsons Bailey in Latimer, presented the bill to the committee in Room EW40 at 1:30 p.m.

Semanko summarized the measure as one that "ratifies and provides for implementation of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe Water Rights Settlement Agreement of 2026, which resolves claims made by or on behalf of the Tribe in the Coeur d'Alene-Spokane River Basin Adjudication," and said the bill provides authority for the Idaho Water Resource Board to appoint a local rental committee to operate a water supply bank for off‑reservation lease and rental of consumptive‑use federal reserved water rights held by or on behalf of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe within the basin.

Tyrel Stevensen, representing the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, introduced Chief Allen, Chairman of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe; Chief Allen spoke in support of the legislation. Joy Vega, Division Chief for the Energy and Natural Resource Division of the Office of the Attorney General, also testified in support, and Candance McHugh, representing the City of Coeur d'Alene, offered municipal endorsement.

Rep. Shepherd moved that H 789 be sent to the floor with a DO PASS recommendation; the motion carried by voice vote and Chairman Mendive will sponsor the bill on the House floor. The committee adjourned at 1:51 p.m.

Next steps: H 789 will be scheduled for consideration on the House floor per standard legislative procedure.