Amends existing law to provide limitations on cost-sharing by the Department of Water Resources assisting owners of wells that need to be repaired or plugged.

Idaho Code 42-1607 establishes that the owners of flowing artesian wells that waste water without beneficial use are responsible to prevent the waste of water through repair or, if necessary, plugging the wells. The Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) has stated that it intends to activate initiatives to repair or plug flowing artesian wells. This proposed legislation removes outdated language in the statute, while maintaining the option for the Director to implement a cost-share program. The statute will continue to recognize that the owners of the flowing artesian wells have the responsibility for repairing or plugging the wells.