September Policy Meeting
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 | IDAHO FISH & GAME HEADQUARTERS
On Tuesday, September 6, 2022, we hosted our monthly policy meeting. Idaho Sportsmen started the meeting with an overview of the recent 2022 Idaho special session. Governor Little called the 66th Legislature back for a September 1, 2022, extortionary or “special” session. The special session was prompted by the record $2 billion projected budget surplus, record inflation, and a qualified ballot initiative that would raise taxes to fund public education.
SPECIAL SESSION
HB 01 distributed $500 million in one-time individual income tax rebates to taxpayers. Every person who files prior to the end of the year and has filed in 2020 will receive 10% of the tax amount or $300, whichever is greater. Joint returns will receive 10% of their tax amount or $600, whichever is greater. Starting on January 3, 2023, income taxes would be lowered to a flat tax rate of 5.8% for income over $2,500 for individuals or $5,000 for joint income; this applies to corporations and individual tax filers. This also combines all tax brackets into one single flat tax bracket at 5.8% going forward. In FY 24, $330 million will be distributed to the public school income fund and $80 million will be distributed to the newly created “In Demand Career Fund” housed in the Idaho State Treasury.
ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY AWARD
Idaho Sportsmen’s Board of Directors unanimously supported this year’s Access and Opportunity Award Recipient, Rep Marc Gibbs. Rep. Gibbs had been the Chairman of the House Resources and Conservation Committee for numerous years and has promoted access and opportunity for sportsmen and women in Idaho. Idaho Sportsmen thanks him for his service and the work he has done for the sporting community. The award was presented to him on September 1, 2022.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Idaho Sportsmen was also recently named the Advisory Council (AC) for the Idaho Sportsmen’s Legislative Caucus (ISLC). This means Idaho Sportsmen will provide institutional and historical knowledge and assist in the success of ISLC. Idaho Sportsmen is honored for the opportunity to be named the official AC for the Caucus to track all budgets, rules, appointments, and policies that are related to natural resources and sportsmen throughout the year.
DEPARTMENT UPDATES
Idaho Department of Lands (IDOL) Policy and Communications Chief, Scott Phillips, spoke on the late fire season that IDOL has seen; the season is anticipated to extend into October. The Department has made heavy investments, nearly $14 million, in fire suppression efforts for this year’s fire season. One effort has gone towards additional fire investigators, who look into where a fire originated from, and hold those responsible accountable.
IDOL has recently partnered with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) for fire restrictions to be viewed on IDPR’s website on a map, which provides the fire restrictions based on the park. This will be a valuable tool for future fire seasons when several restrictions are in place and will help educate the public on the use of public lands.
During the 2022 Legislative session, IDOL ran HB 468, endowment land violations, which did not receive a hearing. This bill aimed to establish infraction-level charges for a violation of restrictions of endowment land if the public was given appropriate notice of the restrictions in place. Although the Department does not plan to run this bill, they are aware of a group who will be and will be supporting them.
Idaho Department Fish and Game Director (IDFG), Ed Schriever, spoke on the Outfitters and Guides rulemakings, stating that the Outfitters and Guides Board has done a tremendous job tackling the issue of deer and elk nonresident tags based on the region. Historically, certain regions have had high numbers of nonresidents hunting. To cut down on the tags sold, the Board aimed to cut nonresidential tag sales to be sold after a residential tag sale period. Brad Compton, Idaho Sportsmen board member and Chair of Outfitters and Guides Board, added that the Outfitters and Guides Board took up the rules and they are now posted in the September Division of Administrative Rules Bulletin. He encouraged all to look over the rule changes, and a public hearing will be held on September 20, 2022, at 9:00 AM.
Director Schriever continued in his report by stating with high temperatures, IDFG has closed a portion of the Snake River, near CJ Strike, for a conservation closing as a precautionary measure after finding 18 dead sturgeon. This was concerning to IDFG, but since closing the Department has seen the deaths go back down. This was a tall order, and the Department doesn’t take this lightly. As temperatures continue to decrease, the area will be reopened for fishing.
IDFG does not have proposed legislation they will run during the 2023 Legislative session but will be supporting a few local groups that have plans to bring proposed legislation forward.
Ellary Tucker-Williams, Idaho Sportsmen Board member and CSF Rocky Mountain Regional Assistant Manager, gave a national and regional update. She noted United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued an announcement that prohibits the importation of unprocessed game bird meat from Canada. APHIS is placing these restrictions on hunters to prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (avian flu), which has been detected in both wild birds and poultry in Canada. Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is currently working with USDA to withdraw this prohibition.
Regionally, non-resident versus resident allocations continues to be of concern in Colorado, New Mexico, and Montana. Private versus public land use in Montana has also become an increasing issue for allowing elk hunters access through block management. The Montana Legislature is currently attempting to take over wildlife management from the commission, which could cause issues with experts not being in control over local issues.
Matt Little from Ducks Unlimited (DU) gave an update on the Columbia River Basin bills that the group has been working on. Two bills were run based on the partisanship of the state; the bills have received support and are sponsored by Republican candidates. The bills are aimed at the conservation efforts for current and future water needs in western states for farming, ranching, wildlife, wetlands, and more. Both are set to be introduced in the US House of Representatives next week, and DU is looking to introduce a supporting bill in the US Senate shortly after. DU has requested Sen. Crapo's support and sponsorship of the bill, but DU believes the Senator’s office needs a push to sponsor the bill. DU has asked Idaho Sportsmen to write a letter of support to Sen. Crapo’s office showing support for the bills. The bill would authorize up to $100 million for waterway grants to assist small to medium projects and private landowners for restoration and conservation projects. Idaho Sportsmen will be having future conversations on the decision to write a letter of support.
Idaho Sportsmen wrapped up their meeting by noting Idaho Sportsmen will also be co-hosting the upcoming 2nd Annual Clay Buster Bonanza. This event will be held at Caldwell Gun Club on Friday, September 23, 2022, at 9:00 AM.
The next Idaho Sportsmen policy meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at 6:30 PM.