ADVOCACY

BILLS

Updates on legislation we are monitoring, supporting, or opposing will be updated as bills come in.

MONITORING

HCR 3 | Natural Resources Council |  Passed the House (43-25-2) | Passed the Senate (35-0-0)

This is a concurrent resolution to continue the work of the Natural Resources Interim Council, which expired on Nov. 30, 2024. This provides two additional years to study natural resource issues, especially related to water resources.
Sponsor: Rep. Raybould (R-34)

HJM 5 | Lava Ridge, Opposition, HJM | House Environment, Energy and Technology

This memorial is directed towards President Trump and congress and asks them to take action to stop the production of the Lava Ridge project. No fiscal impact.
Sponsor: Rep. Clow (R-25)

HCR 8 | Lava Ridge, Opposition, HCR | House Environment, Energy and Technology

Calls upon the Idaho Attorney General and Governor Little to support the Legislature with a demand for a “no build” option regarding the Lava Ridge project. No fiscal impact.
Sponsor: Rep. Clow (R-25)

HB 14 | Idaho Code Cleanup Act | Passed the House (68-0-4) | Passed the Senate (34-0-1) | Sent to Governor

This legislation requires each agency to follow a similar process to the ZBR rulemaking process, which requires each agency to study and delete unnecessary, obsolete, and outdated rules. Agencies must complete a review of their code sections no later than Sept. 1, 2025, and report to the Legislature the codes that fall into one of those three categories. A recommendation must be included in each agency report if it should be removed. It also allows agencies to make recommendations on codes necessary to the public health, safety, and welfare of Idahoans. Agencies can, but are not required, to also include information on unnecessary, obsolete, and outdated code sections that are not in their purview. The Legislature will consider the recommendations during the 2026 regular session.
Sponsor: Rep. Moyle (R-10)

HB 15 | Outfitters and Guides Exception | Passed the House (59-10-1) | Senate Resources and Environment

This further clarifies both public and private post-secondary education institutions are exempt from the Idaho requirement of having a licensed outfitter.
Sponsor: Rep. Raybould (R-34)

HB 57 | Nonmotorized Recreation, Passport | House Floor

Addresses the rising costs of operating, maintaining, and expanding the Idaho state parks and non-motorized trail system. Proposes to increase the current ‘parks passport’ fee of $10, to a ‘parks and trails passport’ fee of $20. Distribution would divert $16 of fee would to the Parks and Recreation fund, and $4 to a new non-motorized recreation fund. Sponsor: Rep. Petzke (R-21)

HB 81 | Recreational Club Limited Liability | House Resources and Conservation

Encourages the formation of recreational clubs and participation in recreational activities by limiting the liability of volunteers and members from claims of injury from those who participate in activities inherently known to bring risk and danger.
Sponsor: Rep. Shepherd (R-7)

HB 82 | Livestock depredation payments | House Resources and Conservation

Modifies existing language regarding depredations from grizzlies and wolves, changing the word from ‘validated’ to ‘confirmed’ for alignment with investigator language. Also adds a third avenue of payment for possible depredations where there is evidence suggesting a kill by a predator but not enough to confirm it was from a wolf or grizzly.
Sponsor: Rep. Raymond (R-31)

HB 101 | Abandoned Roads | House Transportation

Modifies existing language regarding blocking or abandonment of roads and public rights of way. Making sure access always remains for access to public lands or waters regardless of the road crossing private land.
Sponsor: Rep. Rasor (R-1)

HB 128 | Muzzleloaders, Sabots | House Resources and Conservation

Prevents Fish and Game from prohibiting sabots used during a muzzleloader-only season.
Sponsor: Rep. Mendive (R-5)

HB 129 | Land Bank Fund Proceeds | House Resources and Conservation

Allows funds from a sale of State Endowment Lands to be held in the land bank fund for up to 10 years instead of five.
Sponsor: Rep. Rubel (R-18)

HJM 4 | Grizzly Bear Delisting | House Resources and Conservation

The resolution calls upon the Trump Administration and Congress to return the authority of managing the Grizzly Bears back to the states and to remove grizzlies from the ESA list.
Sponsor: Rep. Raymond (R-31)

S 1003 | Fish and Game Fines | Passed the Senate (25-10-0) | House Resources and Conservation

This bill updates the section of code related to fines with the Department of Fish and Game to state if an individual has outstanding fines, judgements of reimbursement, or restitution then they are not eligible for a fishing, hunting, or trapping license, tag, or permit. The bill also states lifetime licenses cannot apply for a license until all fines are paid in full. This does not apply to those who have an approved payment plan, unless they are 90 days past due on payments.
Sponsor: Sen. Foreman (R-6)

S 1011 | Winter Feeding Advisory Committees | Senate Resources and Environment

Requires Fish and Game to have at least one agricultural producer sitting on each of the Winter Feeding Advisory Committees that exist, as vacant seats will be filled after July 1, 2025. There are seven Fish and Game districts, but not each district has a committee. Each committee member should be a member of the district.
Sponsor: Sen. Harris (R-35)

S 1012 | Depredating Wildlife Appeals Board | Senate Resources and Environment

Currently, the US Fish & Wildlife Service confirms if a grizzly bear, black bear, mountain lion, or wolves is responsible for the death of livestock to determine damage compensation. This bill creates a Wildlife Appeals Board in the Office of the Governor to allow an individual to appeal the decision of the US Wildlife Service if results could not be confirmed. The Board would include a designee from Fish and Game, Department of Agriculture, and a large animal veterinarian. The Office of Species and Conservation would receive the request for appeal to coordinate with the Board. The board will consider the evidence presented and make a ruling that will be considered final.
Sponsors: Sen. Burtenshaw (R-), Rep. Boyle (R-9)

S 1013 | Trapper Education | Senate Resources and Environment

Requires anyone who did not possess a trapping license prior to July 1, 2011, as ineligible for a trapping license unless the individual has completed trapper education administered by Fish and Game or an equivalent certification by an authorized\ agency or association. A trapper is not required to have a trapping license as long as the trapper is under supervision by a licensed trapping outfitter that has been certified in trapper education for the species being trapped. This bill also updates the standards of education programs to include species identification, first aid, and laws surrounding trespassing and tampering with personal property.
Sponsors: Sen. Harris (R-35), Rep. Boyle (R-9)

S 1027 | Relating to the Transparency in Financial Services Act | Senate Amending Order

Prohibits large financial institutions from discrimination based on political or religious views. Institutions would be prohibited from using ‘social credit score’ or non-financial criteria for offering a financial service, which could include the manufacturing, distribution, or retail of firearms and ammunition.
Sponsor: Sen. Anthon (R-27)