ID H0676

Expands the definition of "municipal purposes" under Idaho water law to include geothermal heating and cooling, which was previously excluded from municipal water uses

Geothermal heating and cooling qualifies as a municipal purpose only if provided by a municipality using low temperature geothermal water, the use is non-consumptive under normal operating conditions, and complies with existing geothermal regulations (Section 42-233)

Requires applications for water appropriation or changes involving geothermal heating and cooling to include documentation demonstrating where and how injection of diverted low temperature geothermal water back into the same aquifer will be accomplished

Municipalities are obligated to supply geothermal heating and cooling only to users approved for service under local codes and policies, not to all users in their service area

Declares an emergency and takes effect July 1, 2026