Idaho repeals nine water law sections starting July 2026
Starting July 1, 2026, Idaho repeals nine water law sections covering the Department of Water Resources, a trust account, and the Salmon Falls Creek Water Compact.
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What it does
Starting July 1, 2026, the act repeals nine Idaho Code sections on water recharge, department reporting, a trust account, and the Salmon Falls Creek Water Compact. The text does not explain how removing them affects current programs or duties.
Argument forRemoving provisions the Legislature calls outdated or unnecessary could make Idaho's water laws easier to keep current and understand.
Argument againstRemoving these sections could take away rules or authority that people still rely on for water management, though the text does not show their practical effects.
More detail
The act repeals nine Idaho Code sections covering ground water recharge, department reporting, a trust account, and the Salmon Falls Creek Water Compact. The repealed sections concern the Idaho Department of Water Resources, ground water recharge, a report to the governor, a water conservation and development trust account, and the Salmon Falls Creek Water Compact. The repeals take effect July 1, 2026.
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More on this bill
Where it stands
Introduced
Passed 1st Chamber
Passed 2nd Chamber
To Governor
Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
2026
Apr 2Reported Signed by Governor Brad Little on April 2, 2026 Session Law Chapter 310 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
Apr 2Delivered to Governor at 12:51 p.m. on April 2, 2026To Governor
Apr 2Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to GovernorMinor
Apr 2Signed by President; returned to HouseMajor
Apr 2Received from the House enrolled/signed by SpeakerMajor
Apr 1Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to SenateMajor
Vote recorded Rules Suspended (2/3 Vote Read in full as required) – Read third time in full –. Result: pass.Upper
Apr 1Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for EnrollingMinor
Apr 1Rules Suspended (2/3 Vote - Read in full as required) – Read third time in full – PASSED - 35-0-0AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke(Bjerke), Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lakey, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Toews, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, Woodward, Zito, ZuiderveldNAYS – NoneAbsent and excused – NoneFloor Sponsor - Bjerke(Bjerke)Title apvd - to HousePassed 2nd Chamber
Apr 1Read second time; filed for Third ReadingMinor
Mar 31Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second readingMinor
Mar 30Introduced, read first time; referred to: Resources & EnvironmentMinor
Vote recorded Rules Suspended: Ayes 68 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 2, read in full as required –. Result: pass.Lower
Mar 30Received from the House passed; filed for first reading