View Bill Status
View Bill Text
View Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact
H0392.....................................................by APPROPRIATIONS
APPROPRIATIONS - Providing legislative intent regarding statewide water
issues; authorizing the Water Resource Board to proceed with the purchase
of water rights owned by the Bell Rapids Mutual Irrigation Company;
appropriating $21,300,000 for the Idaho Water Resource Board to purchase
water rights; appropriating $7,200,000 to be used by the Water Resource
Board for water projects and to lease water rights; appropriating
$3,000,000 to be used by the Water Resource Board to implement the
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program; appropriating an additional
$360,000 to the Soil Conservation Commission for fiscal year 2006;
authorizing an additional three full-time equivalent positions for the Soil
Conservation Commission; appropriating an additional $1,200,000 to the
Department of Water Resources for fiscal year 2006; authorizing an
additional one full-time equivalent position; appropriating an additional
$700,000 to the Department of Water Resources for the Planning and
Technical Services Program for fiscal year 2006; and appropriating an
additional $300,000 to the Department of Environmental Quality for the
Water Quality Program for fiscal year 2006.
03/28 House intro - 1st rdg - to printing
Rpt prt - to 2nd rdg
Rls susp - PASSED - 63-7-0
AYES -- Anderson, Andrus, Barraclough, Bastian, Bayer, Bedke, Bell,
Bilbao, Black, Block, Boe, Bolz, Bradford, Cannon, Chadderdon, Clark,
Collins, Crow, Deal, Denney, Edmunson, Ellsworth, Eskridge,
Field(18), Field(23), Garrett, Hart, Harwood, Henderson, Jaquet,
Jones, Kemp, Lake, LeFavour, Martinez, Mathews, McGeachin, McKague,
Miller, Mitchell, Moyle, Nielsen, Nonini, Pence, Raybould, Ring,
Roberts, Rusche, Rydalch, Sayler, Shepherd(2), Shepherd(8), Shirley,
Skippen, Smith(30), Smith(24)(Frost), Smylie, Snodgrass, Stevenson,
Trail, Wills, Wood, Mr. Speaker
NAYS -- Barrett, Henbest, Loertscher, Pasley-Stuart, Ringo, Sali,
Schaefer
Absent and excused -- None
Floor Sponsor - Bedke
Title apvd - to Senate
03/29 Senate intro - 1st rdg - to Fin
04/06 Rpt out - rec d/p - to 2nd rdg
Rls susp - PASSED - 27-7-1
AYES -- Andreason, Broadsword, Bunderson, Burtenshaw, Cameron,
Coiner, Compton, Corder, Darrington, Davis, Fulcher(Fulcher), Geddes,
Goedde, Hill, Jorgenson, Keough, Little, Lodge, McGee, McKenzie,
Pearce, Richardson, Schroeder, Stegner, Stennett, Sweet, Williams
NAYS -- Brandt, Burkett, Kelly, Langhorst, Malepeai, Marley, Werk
Absent and excused -- Gannon
Floor Sponsor - Cameron
Title apvd - to House
04/06 To enrol
04/07 Rpt enrol - Sp/Pres signed - To Governor
04/07 Governor signed
Session Law Chapter 328
Effective: 04/07/05 Sections 1 through 4;
07/01/05 All other sections
]]]] LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO ]]]]
Fifty-eighth Legislature First Regular Session - 2005
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE BILL NO. 392
BY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
1 AN ACT
2 RELATING TO APPROPRIATIONS FOR STATEWIDE WATER ISSUES; TO PROVIDE LEGISLATIVE
3 FINDINGS; AUTHORIZING THE WATER RESOURCE BOARD TO PURCHASE CERTAIN WATER
4 RIGHTS AND LEASE A PORTION TO THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION; APPROPRIATING AND
5 TRANSFERRING GENERAL FUND MONEYS TO THE IDAHO WATER RESOURCE BOARD REVOLV-
6 ING DEVELOPMENT FUND FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005; APPROPRIATING AND TRANSFERRING
7 LIQUOR CONTROL FUND MONEYS TO THE IDAHO WATER RESOURCE BOARD REVOLVING
8 DEVELOPMENT FUND FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005; APPROPRIATING AND TRANSFERRING GEN-
9 ERAL FUND MONEYS TO THE IDAHO WATER RESOURCE BOARD REVOLVING DEVELOPMENT
10 FUND FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006; APPROPRIATING ADDITIONAL MONEYS TO THE SOIL
11 CONSERVATION COMMISSION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006; AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL FULL-
12 TIME EQUIVALENT POSITIONS TO THE SOIL CONSERVATION COMMISSION FOR FISCAL
13 YEAR 2006; APPROPRIATING ADDITIONAL MONEYS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER
14 RESOURCES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006; AUTHORIZING AN ADDITIONAL FULL-TIME EQUIV-
15 ALENT POSITION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006;
16 APPROPRIATING ADDITIONAL MONEYS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES FOR
17 SPECIFIED PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006; APPROPRIATING ADDITIONAL MONEYS
18 TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY FOR A SPECIFIC PROJECT FOR FIS-
19 CAL YEAR 2006; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY FOR SECTIONS 1 THROUGH 4 OF THIS
20 ACT.
21 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
22 SECTION 1. The Legislature finds that it is in the best interests of the
23 state of Idaho to invest in short-term and long-term funding approaches to
24 statewide water issues driven by drought, water supply and the basic demands
25 of economic development. This investment across the state will contribute to
26 the stability and economic well-being of all citizens of the state of Idaho.
27 SECTION 2. The Legislature hereby authorizes the Water Resource Board to
28 proceed with the purchase of water rights owned by the Bell Rapids Mutual
29 Irrigation Company as provided for in the letter of intent entered into
30 between the board and the company on March 9, 2005, and hereby declares this
31 acquisition of water rights to constitute a water project under the provisions
32 of Chapter 17, Title 42, Idaho Code. The Legislature hereby further authorizes
33 the Water Resource Board to lease 60,000 acre feet of water annually under the
34 acquired water rights to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for a term of 30
35 years.
36 SECTION 3. There is hereby appropriated $21,300,000 from the General Fund
37 for the period July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005. The State Controller shall
38 immediately transfer that amount to the Idaho Water Resource Board Revolving
39 Development Fund established in Section 42-1752, Idaho Code. Such moneys shall
40 be used by the Idaho Water Resource Board to purchase water rights. The amount
41 transferred is a short-term loan with an annual interest rate of 3% and shall
42 be repaid to the General Fund on or before July 1, 2006.
2
1 SECTION 4. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 23-404, Idaho Code,
2 there is hereby appropriated $7,200,000 from the Liquor Control Fund for the
3 period July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005. The State Controller shall immedi-
4 ately transfer that amount to the Idaho Water Resource Board Revolving Devel-
5 opment Fund established in Section 42-1752, Idaho Code. Such moneys shall be
6 used by the Idaho Water Resource Board for water projects and to lease water
7 rights.
8 SECTION 5. There is hereby appropriated $3,000,000 from the General Fund
9 for the period July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006. The State Controller shall
10 transfer that amount to the Idaho Water Resource Board Revolving Development
11 Fund established in Section 42-1752, Idaho Code. Such moneys shall be used by
12 the Idaho Water Resource Board for loans to ground water districts organized
13 pursuant to Section 42-5202, Idaho Code, to implement the Conservation Reserve
14 Enhancement Program.
15 SECTION 6. In addition to the appropriation provided in Section 1, Senate
16 Bill No. 1214, enacted by the First Regular Session of the Fifty-eighth Idaho
17 Legislature, there is hereby appropriated to the Soil Conservation Commission
18 in the Department of Agriculture the following amount, to be expended accord-
19 ing to the designated expense classes from the listed fund for the period July
20 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006:
21 FOR:
22 Personnel Costs $205,200
23 Operating Expenditures 154,800
24 TOTAL $360,000
25 FROM:
26 General Fund $360,000
27 SECTION 7. In addition to the positions authorized in Section 2, Senate
28 Bill No. 1214, enacted by the First Regular Session of the Fifty-eighth Idaho
29 Legislature, there is hereby authorized three (3) full-time equivalent posi-
30 tions to the Soil Conservation Commission for the period July 1, 2005, through
31 June 30, 2006.
32 SECTION 8. In addition to the appropriation provided in Section 1, Senate
33 Bill No. 1195, enacted by the First Regular Session of the Fifty-eighth Idaho
34 Legislature, there is hereby appropriated to the Department of Water Resources
35 the following amount, to be expended for the designated programs according to
36 the designated expense classes from the listed funds for the period July 1,
37 2005, through June 30, 2006:
38 PLANNING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES:
39 FOR:
40 Personnel Costs $ 82,400
41 Operating Expenditures 7,600
42 TOTAL $ 90,000
43 FROM:
44 General Fund $ 90,000
45 WATER MANAGEMENT:
46 FOR:
47 Personnel Costs $ 400,000
48 Operating Expenditures 800,000
49 TOTAL $1,200,000
50 FROM:
51 Water Administration Fund $1,200,000
3
1 SECTION 9. In addition to the positions authorized in Section 2, Senate
2 Bill No. 1195, enacted by the First Regular Session of the Fifty-eighth Idaho
3 Legislature, there is hereby authorized one (1) full-time equivalent position
4 to the Department of Water Resources for the period July 1, 2005, through June
5 30, 2006.
6 SECTION 10. In addition to the appropriation provided in Section 1, Sen-
7 ate Bill No. 1195, enacted by the First Regular Session of the Fifty-eighth
8 Idaho Legislature, there is hereby appropriated $700,000 from the General Fund
9 to the Department of Water Resources for the Planning and Technical Services
10 Program to be expended for operating expenditures for the period July 1, 2005,
11 through June 30, 2006. Such moneys are a one-time appropriation and shall be
12 used for the Rathdrum Aquifer Collaborative Study, Rathdrum Aquifer Spring and
13 Well Monitoring, and Palouse Basin Aquifer Projects or, to ensure the best use
14 of the appropriated moneys, such projects agreed to by the Department of Water
15 Resources and those local entities proposing the specified projects. The Leg-
16 islature encourages the formation of water user entities to develop sources of
17 revenue to pay for future projects.
18 SECTION 11. In addition to the appropriation provided in Section 1, Sen-
19 ate Bill No. 1211, enacted by the First Regular Session of the Fifty-eighth
20 Idaho Legislature, there is hereby appropriated $300,000 from the General Fund
21 to the Department of Environmental Quality for the Water Quality Program to be
22 expended for operating expenditures for the period July 1, 2005, through June
23 30, 2006. Such moneys are a one-time appropriation and shall be used for a
24 study of water use and reuse in Northern Idaho or, to ensure the best use of
25 the appropriated moneys, such projects agreed to by the Department of Environ-
26 mental Quality and those local entities proposing the specified project. The
27 Legislature encourages the formation of water user entities to develop sources
28 of revenue to pay for future projects.
29 SECTION 12. An emergency existing therefor, which emergency is hereby
30 declared to exist, Sections 1 through 4 of this act shall be in full force and
31 effect on and after passage and approval.
| Statement of Purpose |
| RS15211C1 |
This bill provides a Statewide Water Funding Package to address statewide water issues driven by drought, water supply, and basic demands of economic development. This investment will contribute to the stability and economic well being of all citizens of the state of Idaho.
The legislation authorizes the Water Resource Board to proceed with the purchase of water rights owned by the Bell Rapids Mutual Irrigation Company. It then authorizes the Board to lease part of those water rights to the Bureau of Reclamation. It also provides for loans to implement the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program for 21 counties in southeastern Idaho and staffing to provide technical assistance. It provides staffing for the Department of Water Resources and one-time funding for specified water projects in the northern part of the state.
 
| Fiscal Note |
For fiscal year 2005, this legislation appropriates $21,300,000 from the General Fund and $7,200,000 from the Liquor Control Fund for a total of $28,500,000 to be transferred to the Revolving Development Fund. Such monies are to be used to purchase water rights, lease water rights, and fund other water projects as detailed in section 2 and as clarified in HB 373. Of the total $24,375,000 is needed to purchase water rights from the Bell Rapids Mutual Irrigation Company leaving $4,125,000 available for other projects. The $21.3 million from the General Fund is a loan to be repaid to the General Fund on or before July 1, 2006.
For fiscal year 2006, this legislation appropriates $4,450,000 from the General Fund and $1,200,000 from dedicated funds for a total of $5,650,000. First, it appropriates $3,000,000 from the General Fund and transfers that amount to the Revolving Development Fund to be used for loans to Ground Water Districts to implement the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). Second, it provides $360,000 in ongoing General Fund support to the Soil Conservation Commission to provide technical support for the CREP program. Third, the bill appropriates $90,000 from the General Fund to restore a Hydrology Section Manager position in the Department of Water Resources. Fourth, spending authority is provided to the Department of Water Resources for assessments charged to water users as explained in HB 374. Fifth, $700,000 is appropriated to the Department of Water Resources for specified projects in Northern Idaho. And last, $300,000 is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Environmental Quality for a water use and re-use study on the Rathdrum Prairie.
The total fiscal impact for both fiscal years is $25,750,000 from the General Fund and $8,400,000 from dedicated funds for a total of $34,150,000. Of the total, $21.3 million is to be repaid to the General Fund on or before July 1, 2006.
.
Contact: Ray Houston 334-4741
Legislative Services Office, Budget & Policy Analysis
| Statement of Purpose/Fiscal Note | Bill No. H392 |