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Bill Voiding Dam Spill Clears House by Staff Idaho Mountain Express, May 1, 2018

A bill that would void a federal judge's order that springtime spill be increased over dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers to benefit juvenile salmon was passed by the House of Representatives on April 25 by a vote of 225 to 189.

Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, voted in favor. Rep. Raul Labrador, a co-sponsor of the bill, did not cast a vote.

U.S. District Judge Michael Simon, in Portland, Ore., ordered the new spill operations at eight dams in March 2017.

The bill's proponents say the increased springtime water releases will cost electricity ratepayers about $40 million annually. Opponents say the extra water is crucial to improving survival of migrating wild salmon.

The bill will now be considered by the Senate.