APPOINTMENT OF WATERSHED BOARDS

HB 431 replaces the election process for watershed district boards with an appointment system. Instead of voters electing board members at local elections, soil and water conservation district supervisors will appoint five board members (including one current/former watershed director when available), with initial terms of two and four years. Minority jurisdiction districts (those with less than half the land in a watershed) gain the right to appoint three additional directors, following similar term structures. The bill directly affects watershed districts' governance structure by shifting authority from public elections to supervisor appointments, effective July 1, 2025.