2005 Legislation
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HOUSE BILL NO. 373 – Water rights, revenue bonds

HOUSE BILL NO. 373

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Bill Status



H0373aa...................................................by WAYS AND MEANS
WATER RIGHTS - Amends existing law to authorize the Idaho Water Resources
Board to take specified action to plan, finance, acquire, establish,
operate and maintain a program or projects to enhance water supplies and
reduce demand for water; to provide that specified actions are declared to
be in the public interest; to provide that particular revenue bonds may be
issued and sold for the acquisition of water rights; to provide that
certain revenues collected by or on behalf of water user entities and
revenue received from the lease of water rights shall be placed in the
Revolving Development Fund; to provide that the Idaho Water Resource Board
Revolving Development Fund shall be allocated to the board for payment of
costs associated with the issuance and repayment of the board's revenue
bonds; to provide for broad construction; and to provide for severability.
                                                                        
03/22    House intro - 1st rdg - to printing
03/23    Rpt prt - to Res/Con
03/24    Rpt out - to Gen Ord
    Rpt out amen - to engros
03/28    Rpt engros - 1st rdg - to 2nd rdg as amen
    Rls susp - PASSED - 65-4-1
      AYES -- 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, Henbest, Henderson,
      Jaquet, Jones, Kemp, Lake, LeFavour, Martinez, Mathews, McGeachin,
      McKague, Miller, Mitchell, Moyle, Nielsen, Nonini, Pasley-Stuart,
      Pence, Raybould, Ring, Roberts, Rusche, Rydalch, Sayler, Schaefer,
      Shepherd(2), Shepherd(8), Shirley, Skippen, Smith(30),
      Smith(24)(Frost), Smylie, Snodgrass, Stevenson, Trail, Wills, Wood,
      Mr. Speaker
      NAYS -- Barrett, Loertscher, Ringo, Sali
      Absent and excused -- Anderson
    Floor Sponsor - Raybould
    Title apvd - to Senate
03/29    Senate intro - 1st rdg - to Res/Env
03/30    Rpt out - rec d/p - to 2nd rdg
03/31    2nd rdg - to 3rd rdg
04/06    3rd rdg - PASSED - 32-1-2
      AYES -- Brandt, Broadsword, Bunderson, Burkett, Burtenshaw, Cameron,
      Coiner, Compton, Corder, Darrington, Davis, Fulcher(Fulcher), Geddes,
      Goedde, Hill, Jorgenson, Kelly, Keough, Langhorst, Little, Lodge,
      Malepeai, Marley, McGee, McKenzie, Pearce, Richardson, Schroeder,
      Stegner, Stennett, Sweet, Williams
      NAYS -- Werk
      Absent and excused -- Andreason, Gannon
    Floor Sponsor - Williams
    Title apvd - to House
04/06    To enrol
04/07    Rpt enrol - Sp/Pres signed - To Governor
04/12    Governor signed
         Session Law Chapter 362
         Effective: 04/12/05

Bill Text


                                                                        
                                                                        
  ]]]]              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ]]]]
 Fifty-eighth Legislature                   First Regular Session - 2005
                                                                        
                                                                        
                              IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                                                                        
                                     HOUSE BILL NO. 373
                                                                        
                                BY WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
                                                                        
  1                                        AN ACT
  2    RELATING TO WATER; TO PROVIDE LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS;  TO  AUTHORIZE  THE  IDAHO
  3        WATER  RESOURCES BOARD TO TAKE SPECIFIED ACTION TO PLAN, FINANCE, ACQUIRE,
  4        ESTABLISH, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN A PROGRAM OR  PROJECTS  TO  ENHANCE  WATER
  5        SUPPLIES AND REDUCE DEMAND FOR WATER AND TO PROVIDE THAT SPECIFIED ACTIONS
  6        ARE DECLARED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST; AMENDING SECTION 42-1740, IDAHO
  7        CODE,  TO PROVIDE THAT PARTICULAR REVENUE BONDS MAY BE ISSUED AND SOLD FOR
  8        THE ACQUISITION OF WATER RIGHTS AND TO MAKE A TECHNICAL CORRECTION; AMEND-
  9        ING SECTION 42-1753, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE THAT  REVENUES  RECEIVED  FROM
 10        ASSESSMENTS,  LEASES  OR  FEES  PAID BY WATER USERS SHALL BE PLACED IN THE
 11        REVOLVING DEVELOPMENT FUND; AMENDING SECTION 42-1754, IDAHO CODE, TO  PRO-
 12        VIDE  THAT THE IDAHO WATER RESOURCE BOARD REVOLVING DEVELOPMENT FUND SHALL
 13        BE ALLOCATED TO THE BOARD FOR PAYMENT OF COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH  THE  ISSU-
 14        ANCE  AND  REPAYMENT  OF THE BOARD'S REVENUE BONDS AND TO MAKE A TECHNICAL
 15        CORRECTION; TO PROVIDE FOR BROAD CONSTRUCTION; TO PROVIDE  FOR  SEVERABIL-
 16        ITY; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
                                                                        
 17    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
                                                                        
 18        SECTION  1.  LEGISLATIVE  FINDINGS.  (1)  Water users relying upon surface
 19    water and ground water supplies in many parts of Idaho,  including  the  Snake
 20    River  Basin,  which  encompasses  a large portion of the state, are presently
 21    experiencing or may experience water shortages due to a  combination  of  fac-
 22    tors, including reduced aquifer recharge due to changes in surface water irri-
 23    gation  practices,  increased  ground water withdrawals, and prolonged drought
 24    conditions.
 25        (2)  It is essential that the state provide a reasonable  degree  of  cer-
 26    tainty and assistance in water resource management, water project funding, and
 27    water  rights  administration for the benefit and safeguarding of its citizens
 28    and for the benefit and safeguarding of the state  and  local  economies  that
 29    rely upon the diversion and use of water for their viability.
 30        (3)  The  legislature  is determined to assist in achieving long-term sta-
 31    bility in water supplies for the well-being of our citizens by encouraging the
 32    Water Resource Board to utilize its constitutional and  statutory  authorities
 33    to  finance  water  projects designed both to enhance available water supplies
 34    and reduce demands upon our water resources in a manner that is protective  of
 35    individual rights and promotes the best interests of our citizens.
                                                                        
 36        SECTION  2.  IDAHO  WATER  RESOURCE  BOARD  AUTHORIZATION. The Idaho Water
 37    Resource Board is authorized to take all actions necessary in accordance  with
 38    existing law to plan, finance, acquire, establish, operate and maintain a pro-
 39    gram or projects to enhance water supplies and reduce demand for water through
 40    the  financing  of water rights acquisitions and managed recharge projects, to
 41    option, purchase, acquire, own, sell,  exchange,  lease,  rent,  and  maintain
 42    water rights and other property deemed necessary or proper for such program or
 43    projects, to negotiate and enter into contracts for the acquisition or convey-
                                                                        
                                           2
                                                                        
  1    ance  of water rights or interests therein, including to provide mitigation by
  2    the holders of junior-priority ground water rights  for  the  benefit  of  the
  3    holders  of  senior-priority  surface  water rights, to issue and sell revenue
  4    bonds under the provisions of Sections 42-1739 through  42-1749,  Idaho  Code,
  5    pledging  thereto  the revenues which the board shall derive from such program
  6    or project, in order to pay its costs  of  planning,  financing,  acquisition,
  7    establishment,  operation  and maintenance of such program or projects, and to
  8    deposit and withdraw program moneys from the Water  Resource  Board  Revolving
  9    Development Fund received from appropriations, the sale of bonds, ground water
 10    districts,  or  from  other  sources, under the provisions of Sections 42-1750
 11    through 42-1758, Idaho Code. All moneys paid or property supplied by the Idaho
 12    Water Resource Board for the purpose of carrying out the  provisions  of  this
 13    act are hereby declared to be for water projects which are deemed to be in the
 14    public interest.
                                                                        
 15        SECTION  3.  That  Section 42-1740, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 16    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 17        42-1740.  PURPOSES. All revenue bonds authorized under the terms  of  this
 18    act  may  be  issued  and sold from time to time and in such amounts as is are
 19    deemed necessary to provide sufficient funds for carrying out all  its  powers
 20    and,  without  limiting  the  generality thereof, shall include the following:
 21    acquisition of water rights, rehabilitation and repair of existing  irrigation
 22    projects  and irrigation facilities, and construction, maintenance, repair and
 23    operation of water projects, engineering and other costs for investigation and
 24    promotion of water projects, fiscal and legal expenses, cost  of  issuance  of
 25    bonds  including  printing and advertising expenses, the establishment of bond
 26    reserves, and payment of interest on bonds.
                                                                        
 27        SECTION 4.  That Section 42-1753, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 28    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 29        42-1753.  SOURCE  OF  FUND.  Funds borrowed from the revolving development
 30    fund, together with interest due thereon, shall be repaid  to  the  board  and
 31    placed  in  the revolving fund together with receipts and revenues of any type
 32    and nature derived from any project constructed, operated, or  maintained,  in
 33    whole  or in part, with moneys from the revolving fund, revenues received over
 34    and above the cost of projects financed by revenue  bonds,  revenues  received
 35    from  assessments,  leases or fees paid by water users, revenues received from
 36    the sale of state land acquired by the board for water projects, surplus reve-
 37    nues from the sale of Carey Act (Title 43 USCA s. 641)  lands,  fees  received
 38    from  water  deliveries  which are in excess of costs on projects sponsored by
 39    the board, gifts or grants from any source when the same are made for purposes
 40    consistent with those for which the revolving fund is established, and  moneys
 41    from any other appropriate source.
                                                                        
 42        SECTION  5.  That  Section 42-1754, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 43    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 44        42-1754.  ALLOCATION OF FUND. The Idaho  water  resource  board  revolving
 45    development fund shall be allocated for use:
 46        (a)  To the board for a project which it deems to be "in the public inter-
 47    est"  and  which,  in  its  opinion, further implements any extant Idaho state
 48    water plan, in such amounts as are necessary for preparation of a  feasibility
 49    study of the project, engineering services in preparing designs and specifica-
                                                                        
                                           3
                                                                        
  1    tions, and for construction of the project.
  2        (b)  As loans from the revolving development fund which may be approved by
  3    the  board  and  made  to irrigation districts, canal or irrigation companies,
  4    water users' associations, municipal or private corporations, or,  in  special
  5    cases  when  approved  by  the board, to individuals to finance project costs,
  6    provided, however, that no loans shall be made to finance feasibility  studies
  7    except as a part of overall project costs.
  8        (c)  To  establish  reserve accounts or guarantee funds in the state trea-
  9    sury to aid in the funding of water projects. Interest earned on  such  moneys
 10    invested  by  the  state treasurer shall be paid into the water resource board
 11    revolving development account fund.
 12        (d)  To the board to finance joint ventures for project construction  with
 13    federal agencies, neighboring states, legal subdivisions of the state, private
 14    corporations,  or  other organizations, and including the costs of feasibility
 15    studies, investigations, and other preparatory expenses, for purposes  consis-
 16    tent with those for which the fund is established, and the board is authorized
 17    to use the fund for these purposes.
 18        (e)  To  the  board  to  finance  feasibility studies, investigations, and
 19    other preparatory expenses for projects it intends to fund through the sale of
 20    revenue bonds or through use of funds from other sources.
 21        (f)  To the board for payment of costs associated with  the  issuance  and
 22    repayment of the board's revenue bonds.
                                                                        
 23        SECTION  6.  CONSTRUCTION.  The  provisions of this act shall be construed
 24    broadly to effectuate the stated purposes of the act.
                                                                        
 25        SECTION 7.  SEVERABILITY.  The provisions of this act are hereby  declared
 26    to  be  severable  and if any provision of this act or the application of such
 27    provision to any person or circumstance is declared invalid  for  any  reason,
 28    such  declaration  shall  not affect the validity of the remaining portions of
 29    this act.
                                                                        
 30        SECTION 8.  An emergency existing  therefor,  which  emergency  is  hereby
 31    declared to exist, this act shall be in full force and effect on and after its
 32    passage and approval.

Amendment


                                                                        
                                                                        
  ]]]]              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ]]]]
 Fifty-eighth Legislature                   First Regular Session - 2005
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                     Moved by    Raybould            
                                                                        
                                                     Seconded by Stevenson           
                                                                        
                                                                        
                              IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                              HOUSE AMENDMENT TO H.B. NO. 373
                                                                        
                                                                        
  1                               AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 4
  2        On page 2 of the printed bill, delete lines 34 and  35  and  insert:  "and
  3    above the cost of projects financed by revenue bonds, revenues collected by or
  4    on  behalf  of  water  user  entities for the purpose of repaying indebtedness
  5    under applicable statutory authority, revenues received from"; and in line 37,
  6    following  "lands,"  insert:  "revenues  received  from  the  lease  of  water
  7    rights,".
                                                                        
  8                                 CORRECTIONS TO TITLE
  9        On page 1, in line 3,  delete  "RESOURCES"  and  insert:  "RESOURCE";  and
 10    delete  lines  9  through  ll and insert: "ING SECTION 42-1753, IDAHO CODE, TO
 11    PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN REVENUES COLLECTED BY OR ON BEHALF OF WATER USER ENTITIES
 12    AND REVENUES RECEIVED FROM THE LEASE OF WATER RIGHTS SHALL BE  PLACED  IN  THE
 13    REVOLVING DEVELOPMENT FUND; AMENDING SECTION 42-1754, IDAHO CODE, TO PRO-".

Engrossed Bill (Original Bill with Amendment(s) Incorporated)


                                                                        
                                                                        
  ]]]]              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ]]]]
 Fifty-eighth Legislature                   First Regular Session - 2005
                                                                        
                                                                        
                              IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                                                                        
                               HOUSE BILL NO. 373, As Amended
                                                                        
                                BY WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
                                                                        
  1                                        AN ACT
  2    RELATING TO WATER; TO PROVIDE LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS;  TO  AUTHORIZE  THE  IDAHO
  3        WATER  RESOURCE  BOARD TO TAKE SPECIFIED ACTION TO PLAN, FINANCE, ACQUIRE,
  4        ESTABLISH, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN A PROGRAM OR  PROJECTS  TO  ENHANCE  WATER
  5        SUPPLIES AND REDUCE DEMAND FOR WATER AND TO PROVIDE THAT SPECIFIED ACTIONS
  6        ARE DECLARED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST; AMENDING SECTION 42-1740, IDAHO
  7        CODE,  TO PROVIDE THAT PARTICULAR REVENUE BONDS MAY BE ISSUED AND SOLD FOR
  8        THE ACQUISITION OF WATER RIGHTS AND TO MAKE A TECHNICAL CORRECTION; AMEND-
  9        ING SECTION 42-1753, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE  THAT  CERTAIN  REVENUES  COL-
 10        LECTED  BY  OR ON BEHALF OF WATER USER ENTITIES AND REVENUES RECEIVED FROM
 11        THE LEASE OF WATER RIGHTS SHALL BE PLACED  IN  THE  REVOLVING  DEVELOPMENT
 12        FUND;  AMENDING  SECTION  42-1754,  IDAHO  CODE, TO PROVIDE THAT THE IDAHO
 13        WATER RESOURCE BOARD REVOLVING DEVELOPMENT FUND SHALL BE ALLOCATED TO  THE
 14        BOARD  FOR  PAYMENT OF COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ISSUANCE AND REPAYMENT OF
 15        THE BOARD'S REVENUE BONDS AND TO MAKE A TECHNICAL CORRECTION;  TO  PROVIDE
 16        FOR  BROAD  CONSTRUCTION;  TO  PROVIDE  FOR SEVERABILITY; AND DECLARING AN
 17        EMERGENCY.
                                                                        
 18    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
                                                                        
 19        SECTION 1.  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. (1) Water  users  relying  upon  surface
 20    water  and  ground  water supplies in many parts of Idaho, including the Snake
 21    River Basin, which encompasses a large portion of  the  state,  are  presently
 22    experiencing  or  may  experience water shortages due to a combination of fac-
 23    tors, including reduced aquifer recharge due to changes in surface water irri-
 24    gation practices, increased ground water withdrawals,  and  prolonged  drought
 25    conditions.
 26        (2)  It  is  essential  that the state provide a reasonable degree of cer-
 27    tainty and assistance in water resource management, water project funding, and
 28    water rights administration for the benefit and safeguarding of  its  citizens
 29    and  for  the  benefit  and safeguarding of the state and local economies that
 30    rely upon the diversion and use of water for their viability.
 31        (3)  The legislature is determined to assist in achieving  long-term  sta-
 32    bility in water supplies for the well-being of our citizens by encouraging the
 33    Water  Resource  Board to utilize its constitutional and statutory authorities
 34    to finance water projects designed both to enhance  available  water  supplies
 35    and  reduce demands upon our water resources in a manner that is protective of
 36    individual rights and promotes the best interests of our citizens.
                                                                        
 37        SECTION 2.  IDAHO WATER RESOURCE  BOARD  AUTHORIZATION.  The  Idaho  Water
 38    Resource  Board is authorized to take all actions necessary in accordance with
 39    existing law to plan, finance, acquire, establish, operate and maintain a pro-
 40    gram or projects to enhance water supplies and reduce demand for water through
 41    the financing of water rights acquisitions and managed recharge  projects,  to
 42    option,  purchase,  acquire,  own,  sell,  exchange, lease, rent, and maintain
 43    water rights and other property deemed necessary or proper for such program or
                                                                        
                                           2
                                                                        
  1    projects, to negotiate and enter into contracts for the acquisition or convey-
  2    ance of water rights or interests therein, including to provide mitigation  by
  3    the  holders  of  junior-priority  ground  water rights for the benefit of the
  4    holders of senior-priority surface water rights, to  issue  and  sell  revenue
  5    bonds  under  the  provisions of Sections 42-1739 through 42-1749, Idaho Code,
  6    pledging thereto the revenues which the board shall derive from  such  program
  7    or  project,  in  order  to pay its costs of planning, financing, acquisition,
  8    establishment, operation and maintenance of such program or projects,  and  to
  9    deposit  and  withdraw  program moneys from the Water Resource Board Revolving
 10    Development Fund received from appropriations, the sale of bonds, ground water
 11    districts, or from other sources, under the  provisions  of  Sections  42-1750
 12    through 42-1758, Idaho Code. All moneys paid or property supplied by the Idaho
 13    Water  Resource  Board  for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this
 14    act are hereby declared to be for water projects which are deemed to be in the
 15    public interest.
                                                                        
 16        SECTION 3.  That Section 42-1740, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 17    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 18        42-1740.  PURPOSES.  All  revenue bonds authorized under the terms of this
 19    act may be issued and sold from time to time and in such  amounts  as  is  are
 20    deemed  necessary  to provide sufficient funds for carrying out all its powers
 21    and, without limiting the generality thereof,  shall  include  the  following:
 22    acquisition  of water rights, rehabilitation and repair of existing irrigation
 23    projects and irrigation facilities, and construction, maintenance, repair  and
 24    operation of water projects, engineering and other costs for investigation and
 25    promotion  of  water  projects, fiscal and legal expenses, cost of issuance of
 26    bonds including printing and advertising expenses, the establishment  of  bond
 27    reserves, and payment of interest on bonds.
                                                                        
 28        SECTION  4.  That  Section 42-1753, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 29    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 30        42-1753.  SOURCE OF FUND. Funds borrowed from  the  revolving  development
 31    fund,  together  with  interest  due thereon, shall be repaid to the board and
 32    placed in the revolving fund together with receipts and revenues of  any  type
 33    and  nature  derived from any project constructed, operated, or maintained, in
 34    whole or in part, with moneys from the revolving fund, revenues received  over
 35    and  above  the cost of projects financed by revenue bonds, revenues collected
 36    by or on behalf of water user entities for the purpose of  repaying  indebted-
 37    ness  under applicable statutory authority, revenues received from the sale of
 38    state land acquired by the board for water projects, surplus revenues from the
 39    sale of Carey Act (Title 43 USCA s. 641) lands,  revenues  received  from  the
 40    lease of water rights, fees received from water deliveries which are in excess
 41    of  costs  on projects sponsored by the board, gifts or grants from any source
 42    when the same are made for  purposes  consistent  with  those  for  which  the
 43    revolving fund is established, and moneys from any other appropriate source.
                                                                        
 44        SECTION  5.  That  Section 42-1754, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 45    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 46        42-1754.  ALLOCATION OF FUND. The Idaho  water  resource  board  revolving
 47    development fund shall be allocated for use:
 48        (a)  To the board for a project which it deems to be "in the public inter-
 49    est"  and  which,  in  its  opinion, further implements any extant Idaho state
                                                                        
                                           3
                                                                        
  1    water plan, in such amounts as are necessary for preparation of a  feasibility
  2    study of the project, engineering services in preparing designs and specifica-
  3    tions, and for construction of the project.
  4        (b)  As loans from the revolving development fund which may be approved by
  5    the  board  and  made  to irrigation districts, canal or irrigation companies,
  6    water users' associations, municipal or private corporations, or,  in  special
  7    cases  when  approved  by  the board, to individuals to finance project costs,
  8    provided, however, that no loans shall be made to finance feasibility  studies
  9    except as a part of overall project costs.
 10        (c)  To  establish  reserve accounts or guarantee funds in the state trea-
 11    sury to aid in the funding of water projects. Interest earned on  such  moneys
 12    invested  by  the  state treasurer shall be paid into the water resource board
 13    revolving development account fund.
 14        (d)  To the board to finance joint ventures for project construction  with
 15    federal agencies, neighboring states, legal subdivisions of the state, private
 16    corporations,  or  other organizations, and including the costs of feasibility
 17    studies, investigations, and other preparatory expenses, for purposes  consis-
 18    tent with those for which the fund is established, and the board is authorized
 19    to use the fund for these purposes.
 20        (e)  To  the  board  to  finance  feasibility studies, investigations, and
 21    other preparatory expenses for projects it intends to fund through the sale of
 22    revenue bonds or through use of funds from other sources.
 23        (f)  To the board for payment of costs associated with  the  issuance  and
 24    repayment of the board's revenue bonds.
                                                                        
 25        SECTION  6.  CONSTRUCTION.  The  provisions of this act shall be construed
 26    broadly to effectuate the stated purposes of the act.
                                                                        
 27        SECTION 7.  SEVERABILITY.  The provisions of this act are hereby  declared
 28    to  be  severable  and if any provision of this act or the application of such
 29    provision to any person or circumstance is declared invalid  for  any  reason,
 30    such  declaration  shall  not affect the validity of the remaining portions of
 31    this act.
                                                                        
 32        SECTION 8.  An emergency existing  therefor,  which  emergency  is  hereby
 33    declared to exist, this act shall be in full force and effect on and after its
 34    passage and approval.

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact



                       STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

                             RS 15195

The purpose of this legislation is to address serious water
shortage problems in the state by authorizing the Idaho Water
Resource Board to fund a water rights acquisition and mitigation
program through the issuance of revenue bonds secured by program
revenues paid by water users who will benefit from the program
and from other sources. The program is intended to provide a
means of financing water projects designed to enhance water
supplies, reduce water demand, improve water management, and
provide water for mitigation purposes. The program is declared to
be a water project deemed to be in the public interest. The
program will be implemented in a manner that is protective of
individual rights and promotes the best interests of the citizens
of the state. The legislation amends Section 42-1740, Idaho Code,
to add acquisition of water rights as a purpose for which the
Water Resource Board may issue revenue bonds. The legislation
amends Section 42-1753, Idaho Code, to add revenues received from
assessments or fees paid by water users as a potential source of
funds credited to the Board's Revolving Development Fund. The
legislation amends Section 42-1754, Idaho Code, to authorize
moneys from the Revolving Development fund to be allocated to the
Water Resource Board for payment of costs associated with the
issuance and repayment of the Board's revenue bonds.


                           FISCAL NOTE

Enactment of this legislation will have no direct effect upon the
state's general fund or other state or local funds, but it should
indirectly benefit these funds by helping to achieve long-term
stability in water supplies relied upon for the economic well-
being of the citizens of the state.




Contact
Name:  Representative John A. Stevenson 
Phone: 332-1000




STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/FISCAL NOTE                        H 373