ID H0592

Creates new Section 42-224 establishing a forfeiture process for stockwater rights unused for five (5) years, requiring the director of the Department of Water Resources to issue orders to show cause to owners of unused rights.

Allows service of orders to show cause by personal service, certified mail, or publication in a newspaper of general circulation once weekly for two (2) consecutive weeks if other methods fail.

Requires stockwater right owners to request a hearing in writing within twenty-one (21) days of service; failure to respond results in automatic forfeiture of the right.

Prohibits federal agencies and their agents from acquiring stockwater rights unless they own and actually use livestock for watering; clarifies that permittees on federal grazing allotments are not considered federal agents.

Repeals Section 42-503 and amends Section 42-504 to restrict stockwater rights acquired on federal grazing allotments to livestock watering purposes only unless approved by the State of Idaho.