All Roll Calls
Yes: 103 • No: 2
IdahoH 06762026 regular legislative sessionHouse
GEOTHERMAL – Amends existing law to provide for the municipal use of geothermal water.
Sponsored By: RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
Signed by Governor
GEOTHERMAL
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
City geothermal use with injection rules
Beginning July 1, 2026, cities can use low‑temperature geothermal water for municipal heating and cooling if the use is non‑consumptive and follows state code. Plans for future geothermal needs must include injection of the used water back into the same aquifer. Cities are only required to provide geothermal service to users approved under their local codes and policies.
New rules on consumptive water use
Beginning July 1, 2026, how much water is consumed is not part of a water right. Changing consumptive use does not require a transfer filing. The Director can still consider consumptive use when deciding if a change would enlarge a right.
Stronger planning for municipal water rights
Beginning July 1, 2026, municipal providers must submit more planning and mapping when they apply for new water or change a right. They must show they qualify as a municipal provider, define their service area, and state a planning horizon and future needs. If geothermal heating or cooling is included, the filing must show where and how the water will be injected back into the same aquifer. Water reserved for a city’s future needs cannot be moved outside the service area or changed to a new use. The law also clarifies who counts as a municipality and a municipal provider.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Kevin Cook
Republican • Senate
James Petzke
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/16/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 35 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 68 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Reported Signed by Governor on March 19, 2026 Session Law Chapter 65 Effective: 07/01/2026
3/20/2026Delivered to Governor at 4:22 p.m. on March 18, 2026
3/19/2026Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker
3/18/2026SenateReturned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling
3/17/2026HouseRead third time in full – PASSED - 35-0-0
3/16/2026HouseRead second time; filed for Third Reading
3/10/2026HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
3/9/2026HouseReceived from the House passed; filed for first reading
2/27/2026SenateRead Third Time in Full – PASSED - 68-2-0
2/26/2026HouseRead second time; Filed for Third Reading
2/25/2026HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
2/24/2026HouseReported Printed and Referred to Resources & Conservation
2/17/2026HouseIntroduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
2/16/2026House
Bill Text
Bill Text
Related Bills
H 0889 — STATE PROCUREMENT – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law regarding the procurement of property by the State of Idaho.
S 1435 — APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES – Relates to the maintenance appropriations to the Department of Health and Welfare and the State Independent Living Council for fiscal year 2027.
S 1429 — APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND WELFARE – BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Behavioral Health Services Division for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
S 1410 — MEDICAID – Adds to existing law to provide legislative approval for the Department of Health and Welfare to submit a state plan amendment regarding change in encounter rate due to change in scope of services.
S 1439 — EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the Model School Facility Council.
S 1433 — APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND WELFARE – MEDICAID – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.