ID H0687

Authorizes the director of the department of water resources to petition district court to commence a comprehensive adjudication of water rights from surface and ground water sources in the Kootenai River basin under the McCarran amendment.

Establishes that the Kootenai River basin adjudication shall be brought in the Snake River Basin Adjudication district court in Twin Falls County, with the Idaho Supreme Court assigning the presiding judge.

Amends Section 42-1425 to include the Kootenai River basin adjudication with other basin adjudications, allowing water rights changes made prior to adjudication commencement to be claimed without complying with transfer requirements if no injury occurred.

Amends Section 42-1426 to add the Kootenai River basin adjudication to the list of adjudications where mandatory permit requirements are waived for water use enlargements that occurred before adjudication commencement, provided no injury to existing rights resulted.

Declares an emergency and makes the act effective July 1, 2024.