The bill amends Section 42-1764 of the Idaho Code to clarify provisions regarding water right forfeiture related to the water supply bank. It establishes that water rights obtained by the board or a local committee and credited to the water supply bank are not subject to forfeiture for nonuse while they are retained in or rented from the bank. The five-year period for nonuse forfeiture will now "run anew" upon the removal of a right from the bank, rather than accruing from the date of acceptance into the bank. This change aims to protect water rights held in the bank from being forfeited due to nonuse during their time in the bank.

Additionally, the bill specifies that renting water rights from the water supply bank does not constitute a dedication of those rights to the lands of any renter, emphasizing that the rental or distribution of water is incidental to the bank's primary purposes. The bill declares an emergency, making it effective on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 42-1764