STATE WATER PLAN – Adds to existing law to provide for the establishment of a Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer managed recharge goal in the state water plan.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

Sets a 350,000 acre-foot/year ESPA recharge target and requires updating the state water plan policies and the ESPA management plan to reach it.

Introduced, read first time; referred to: Resources & Environment

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Overview

Bill: H 334

Title: STATE WATER PLAN – Adds to existing law to provide for the establishment of an Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA) managed recharge goal in the state water plan.

Purpose: Codify a specific managed recharge target for the ESPA to protect this groundwater resource as it declines, guiding policy and planning efforts.

Intro/Status: Introduced February 26, 2025. Read first time and referred to Resources & Environment. Emergency clause included; effective July 1, 2025.

What the bill would do

Create a new section (42-1734J) in Idaho Code.

Require the Idaho Water Resource Board to revise:

State water plan policies 4B, 4D, and 4E.
The ESPA comprehensive aquifer management plan.

Establish a managed recharge goal for the ESPA: 350,000 acre-feet per year (average annual basis).

Effective date: The act is designated with an emergency clause and would take effect on July 1, 2025.

Key provisions and changes

Targeted goal: A specific recharge target of 350,000 acre-feet per year for ESPA recharge.

Policy updates: Revision of state water plan policies (4B, 4D, 4E) to align with the new ESPA recharge goal.

Management plan: Update the ESPA comprehensive aquifer management plan to implement and reflect the new recharge goal.

Legal framework: Codifies the target within Idaho’s water resources governance, providing a measurable objective for ESPA recharge efforts.

Fiscal note and funding

Fiscal impact: The fiscal note states no change to general fund appropriations.

The note references the recharge target increasing from 240,000 acre-feet to 350,000 acre-feet when water is available, but notes no new appropriations are tied to the bill.

Contact on fiscal note: Representative Stephanie Jo Mickelsen.

Affected parties and potential impact

Primary entities:

Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB)
State water plan administrators
ESPA management planners

Potential impacts:

Guiding and prioritizing recharge projects and policies for ESPA.
Possible implications for irrigation districts, groundwater users, and water resource managers as recharge efforts align to the higher target.
May influence funding decisions indirectly through policy direction, even though no new general fund money is appropriated in the bill.

Procedural timeline and status

2025-02-26: Introduced; referred to JRA for printing.

2025-02-27: Reported out of Committee; referred to Resources & Conservation.

2025-03-05: Bill reported out of committee with Do Pass recommendation; second reading.

2025-03-06: Floor actions; rules suspended and bill passed the House 62-0 with several yeas and nays noted; Title approved and sent to Senate.

2025-03-07: Received from House, filed for first reading; referred to Resources & Environment.

Next steps: Senate review and potential amendments before floor vote.

Key considerations for readers

This bill sets a clear, numeric goal for ESPA recharge (350,000 acre-feet/year) and requires alignment of core state water planning policies to achieve it.

It includes an emergency clause, making the measure effective as of July 1, 2025.

While it codifies a recharge target, it does not authorize new general fund spending; implementation would depend on policy updates and potential future funding decisions.

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