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IdahoS 13052026 regular legislative sessionSenateWALLET

WATER DISTRICTS – Amends existing law to authorize water districts to charge certain fees.

Sponsored By: RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

WATER DISTRICTS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.

Fees for water crossing district lines

Beginning July 1, 2026, a second Idaho water district can charge a fee instead of a water assessment. This applies to water taken under a valid right from a natural waterway regulated and assessed by the first district. The water must pass through and be diverted again from a different natural waterway regulated by the second district. The second district's users must approve the fee by resolution. It covers directly related watermaster costs for data collection, measurement, conveyance, and recordkeeping; the law sets no dollar amount. Fee payers cannot vote at the annual meeting unless they also hold water rights assessed by that district.

Water users can set minimum charges

Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho water users can approve an annual minimum charge for watermaster services at their annual meeting. The minimum cannot exceed $250 per user and applies when a user's water-based share is below that amount. Watermasters must prepare next year's proposed budget and each user's share at least 14 days before the meeting. Shares reflect actual water delivered over the past season or up to five seasons. Watermasters can estimate past deliveries when records are missing or a water right has not been assessed before. At the meeting, users approve the budget and pass a resolution setting how money is collected. The budget must show the total and each user's amount, which becomes a debt upon approval. It covers watermaster and assistant pay, water delivery costs, and applicable advisory committee expenses. Committee work beyond salary and operating expenses should use available funds under Idaho's separate funding law where possible; assessments cover shortfalls. Users can also pass a resolution making annual charges final, with no debts or credits carried into the next year.

Water-right owners face possible transfer fees

Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho water users can approve a fixed fee for moving water-right records to a new owner. Users must authorize the fee by resolution at the annual meeting and set its amount. The district must use the money only for related administrative costs and keep a record explaining how it determined the fee. The law does not set the fee amount.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Britt Raybould

    Republican • House

  • Julie VanOrden

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 91 • No: 11

House vote • 3/19/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 59 • No: 11

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 32 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor on 03/24/26 Session Law Chapter 110 Effective: 07/01/2026

    3/24/2026

  2. Reported delivered to Governor at 3:45 p.m. on 03/23/26

    3/24/2026

  3. Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to Governor

    3/23/2026

  4. Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to Senate

    3/23/2026House

  5. Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker

    3/20/2026Senate

  6. Returned From House Passed; referred to enrolling

    3/19/2026Senate

  7. Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 59-11-0

    3/19/2026House

  8. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    3/18/2026House

  9. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading

    3/17/2026House

  10. Read First Time, Referred to Resources & Conservation

    3/6/2026House

  11. Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading

    3/6/2026House

  12. Read third time in full – PASSED - 32-0-3

    3/5/2026Senate

  13. Retained on calendar

    3/4/2026Senate

  14. Retained on calendar

    3/3/2026Senate

  15. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    2/27/2026Senate

  16. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading

    2/26/2026Senate

  17. Reported Printed; referred to Resources & Environment

    2/17/2026Senate

  18. Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing

    2/16/2026Senate

Bill Text

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