S 1269 Idaho Senate · 68th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session (2026)

CLOUD SEEDING – Amends and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding cloud seeding programs.

This Idaho bill (S 1269) revises state laws governing cloud seeding programs to clarify regulations and requirements. It defines cloud seeding (excluding fog/frost prevention), requires the Water Resource Board to authorize programs and mandate annual public reports on operations, environmental impacts, and effectiveness, and specifies that state funds may only support projects in basins with insufficient water supplies. The law also protects operators from liability claims related to cloud seeding activities and requires monthly operational reports from program operators. These changes directly affect the Water Resource Board, cloud seeding operators, and communities relying on water resources in Idaho basins.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Feb 10, 2026 Signed Mar 23, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2026 · House Mar 17, 2026

How they voted

259
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 35
Mar 3, 2026
D Democratic6
5 Yea 1
83% Yea
R Republican29
20 Yea 9 Nay
68% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
6
Committee
3
Mar 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to Senate
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rules Suspended: Ayes 66 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 4, read in full as required – PASSED - 40-28-2AYES – Bingham, Boyle, Cannon, Cheatum, Cornilles, Dygert, Egbert, Ehlers, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Hall(Stone), Handy, Haws, Holtzclaw, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Raybould, Raymond, Rubel, Sauter, Shirts, Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Bruce, Burg
lower
Mar 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time in full – PASSED - 25-9-1AYES – Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke(Bjerke), Bruner(Adams), Burtenshaw, Cook, Den Hartog, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Keyser, Lakey, Lent, Nichols, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Shippy, Taylor, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, WoodwardNAYS – Blaylock, Carlson, Foreman, Kohl, Lenney, Okuniewicz, Toews, Zito, ZuiderveldAbsent and excused – SemmelrothFloor Sponsor - NicholsTitle apvd - to House
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Committee
Reported Printed; referred to Resources & Environment
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Introduced
Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.