LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Week Twelve Idaho Legislative Update for March 30 – April 3, 2026
The Second Regular Session of the 68th Idaho Legislature is officially finished. The Senate adjourned Sine Die at 6:18 p.m. Thursday. The House followed suit at 6:29 p.m. Both chambers worked full days to clear to-do lists packed with appropriations bills and controversial legislation that had been lingering for weeks or rushed through committees this week. The capital Friday morning is as quiet as it’s been in months. Lawmakers who didn’t leave Boise last night are now well on their way.
The 2026 session lasted 81 days. Legislative service staff drafted more than 2,660 pieces of legislation, of which 815 became bills, resolutions, memorials or proclamations. By most measures, including the volume of bills introduced and passed, the 2026 Legislature topped the production metrics set in the last five years.
The session is also notable for the substance of policy making. Fundamental differences over the role of government emerged in debates over state budgets for FY 26 and FY 27. State agencies, higher education and constitutional offices are all dealing with the loss of funds cut by the Legislature and its “power of the purse.”
Social issues fueled by national narratives defined much of the policy agenda, including expectations for local police when it comes to enforcing federal immigration laws. The perennial antagonism between the Legislature and local governments took on a more vindictive tenor this year, a trait non uncommon in states where one party dominates and seeks to exert its will at the local level. This was evident in the full-scale attacks on highway districts, libraries, cities and counties and shows no signs of slowing down next year.
These themes played out in both chambers on the final days, including:
The Senate rejected a bill that would require county sheriffs and municipal police departments to sign cooperative agreements with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE). This legislation was presented, defeated, then amended multiple times during the session. Urgency to pass a bill intensified in the last two weeks thanks to a nudge from the White House. Ultimately, the Senate declined to take up the bill Thursday, sealing its final defeat.
The Senate blocked a bill on the final day that would have enabled the Attorney General to pursue disqualification against state agency employees and local elected officials who may have violated state law. This was prized policy in the House but soundly rejected in the Senate.
A pet bill of House and Senate leadership that snuck through in the final days – following fights each of the last four years – will change the electoral process for Idaho’s biggest highway district. After three attempts this year alone, SB 1356 was jammed through the Statehouse in one day, a fast track that included a late-night committee meeting and passage on the House floor Wednesday night.
A new law was passed to bolster the enforcement of fines for cities and counties that fly flags that fail to meet standards spelled out in statute.
The budget process led to multiple entanglements and dissension in the appropriations committee, specifically over the differences between items defined as maintenance versus enhancements. These discussions blurred the lines over proper planning and budget setting and whether the current process is fair and effective. These concerns remain and will no doubt be front and center in 2027 when the budget and revenue shortfall reclaim center stage.
The Legislature’s busywork will be keeping the Governor and his staff busy for the next few days. Thursday’s adjournment means Gov. Little has until Tuesday to treat the stack of bills piled on his desk. You can track this process by visiting the bill tracker on his website.
With the 2026 session in the books, attention now turns to the primary election on May 19. Dozens of Senators and Representatives are dealing with challenges next month. All we know at this point is the makeup of the chambers that gather here in Boise next year will have a different look, feel and set of policy goals.
There is less intrigue surrounding the races for the highest statewide offices, including Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General and Secretary of State. The incumbents lack any meaningful primary challenge and are focusing on the General Election in November. Speaking of the first Tuesday in November, the ballot will be teaming with social-issue constitutional amendments, including abortion, drug legalization and the state gun. We’ll be paying attention to the legislative races and the general tone of a campaign season sure to draw even bigger amounts of dark, out-of-state money from interest groups seeking to bend Idaho policy to meet their objectives. We will provide updates as we work through this election cycle.
While session ended last night, we are back in the office and working for our clients. In the next few weeks, our team will be meeting with agencies and state leaders, engaging in policy discussions and honing strategies to meet your goals. Prep for 2027 is underway.
We also want to take a moment, as we often do at the end of a challenging legislative session, to say thank you for the trust you place in BB&A. We are proud of our track record during the last 12 weeks and what it has meant for our clients. We aren’t perfect and it’s challenging at times to control outcomes, but the grit and commitment we bring has delivered wins across our client spectrum this session.
Idaho legislators are a unique mix of individuals, each with different interests, motives and loyalties. We enjoy the challenge of navigating those differences and charting a path to success. Our work on your behalf drives our team, keeps us positive and eager to work harder and smarter than our competitors throughout the year We know it pays off in the end.
We look forward to seeing you seeing you soon and welcome any feedback or comments. In the meantime, thank you once again.
House Bills
H0502 – Forest Products Commission– Passed the House (66-1-3) Passed the Senate Floor (35-0) Signed by the Governor 3/2/26 - Effective 7/1/26
The legislation moves the IDAPA Rules of Administrative Procedure for the Idaho Forest Products Commission into Idaho Code. It also makes a series of technical corrections to the commission, officers, and assessments.
Sponsor: Rep Boyle (R-9)
HB511 – Wildfire Property Assessments – Passed the House (46-22-2) – Passed the Senate (26-9) - Signed by the Governor 3/17/26 - Effective 7/1/26
Calls for an increase from $40 to up to $100 on the surcharge set for improved private forest land parcels. Revenue generated from the surcharge would be deposited in a dedicated fund to support wildfire preparedness. The Land Board would have the authority to set the surcharge. The last rate increase was in 2009.
Sponsor: Boyle (R-9)
HB0565- Code Clean-up, Fish & Game- House Resources and Conservation
To ensure that state laws are streamlined, up-to-date, and essential for the citizens of Idaho, while best serving the public health, safety, and welfare, the Legislature approved the Idaho Code Cleanup Act, H14 in the 2025 legislative session. Submitted sections of Idaho Code were reviewed for repeal consideration by the DOGE Task Force on the criteria of obsolete, outdated, and unnecessary. This bill repeals Sections 36-116, 36-715, and 36-1120, Idaho Code. These sections relate to the transition of wolf management to the state and hunting fines. Idaho has been managing wolves for years, and the fines for hunting violations are established in other sections of Idaho Code.
Sponsors: Rep. Manwaring (R-29) Sen. Bjerke (R-5)
H0630- Airborne Control of Predatory Animals- Passed the House (60-8-2) – Failed in the Senate (6-28-1)
This legislation would amend 22-102A, Idaho Code, which provides for the permitting of the use of aircraft in controlling unprotected or predatory animals. The amendments will account for the movement of current administrative rule language into the statute because it is beneficial to have all related requirements related to this matter in a single location in Idaho Code.
Sponsor: Rep. Shirts (R-9)
H0651-Big Game Depredation Claims- House Resources and Conservation Committee
The purpose of this legislation is to ensure that all available moneys in the Big Game Depredation Fund are fully and efficiently paid out for valid claims arising from damage caused by big game to private property. This act clarifies claim payment procedures, prioritizes the distribution of available funds to approved claims, and provides mechanisms for proportional payment when claims exceed available balances, ensuring that funds are not unnecessarily left unexpended while landowners and agricultural producers wait for compensation.
Sponsor: Rep. Shirts (R-9)
H0653- Wildlife Relocation- House Resources and Conservation Committee
This legislation increases transparency and public involvement in wildlife transplant and relocation decisions by requiring the Department of Fish and Game to notify county commissioners, affected landowners, and grazing permittees of planned movements. If an affected party objects in writing, the county commission must hold a hearing and vote on the proposal, while emergency “responsive movements” remain unaffected.
Sponsor: Rep. Pickett (R-27)
H0677- Fish and Game- House Resources and Conservation
This legislation deals with sportsman like conduct and makes it unlawful to construct wildlife hunting blinds that are near water sources on public lands.
Sponsor: Rep. Raymond (R-31)
H0678aaS- Passed the House (67-0-3) – Passed the Senate (34-0-1) - Signed by the Governor 3/31/26 - Effective 7/1/26
This legislation is to allow wolf trappers to inspect their trap remotely with transmitting cameras.
Sponsor: Rep. Shepherd (R-7)
H0737- Merge offs, spec cons & enrgy resrs,- Passed the House (66-4-0) - Passed the Senate (30-2-3) - Signed by the Governor 3/19/26 - Effective 7/1/26
This legislation provides for the merging of the Idaho Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources with the Office of Species Conservation. A merged office will leverage administrative capacity and reduce bureaucratic redundancy.
Sponsors: Rep. Boyle (R-9) Sen. Den Hartog (R-22)
H0855 – Lifetime Fishing Hunting Licenses – Passed the House (48-17-5) – Passed the Senate (23-11) - Signed by the Governor 3/31/26 - Effective 7/1/26
Would change the eligibility to purchase a lifetime fishing/hunting license. Current statute makes eligibility upon anyone who is a resident for six months. Change in this bill would lengthen that to five years.
Sponsor: Rep. Petzke (R-21)
H0910- Endowment Lands, Recreation – Returned to Committee
The Idaho Department of Lands excels in fire suppression, timber management, and GNA coordination but lacks sufficient staffing to meet growing recreation demands. This legislation allows IDL and Idaho Parks and Recreation to jointly expand recreational opportunities on endowment lands without impacting existing uses.
Sponsor: Rep. Raymond (R-31)
H0939- Hunting Technology- Passed the House (67-1-2) – Passed the Senate (29-6) – Signed by the Governor 4/2/26 - Effective 7/1/26
This legislation regulates the use of thermal imaging, night vision, transmitting trail cameras, and drones for hunting. It provides certain exemptions, including for predators and for agricultural purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Petzke (R-21)
House Joint Memorials & Resolutions
HJM009 – FLPMA Memorial – Passed the House (69-0-1) – Passed the Senate (Voice Vote) – Secretary of State
A joint memorial calling on the U.S. Congress to reaffirm the Federal Land Policy and Management Act as the primary law governing federal land management and exchanges. It’s a response to a recent legal decision in Idaho on a proposed land exchange that threatened the predictability of FLPMA.
Sponsor: Boyle (R-9)
HJM014 – Water Storage – Passed the House (Voice Vote) – Passed the Senate (Voice Vote) – Secretary of State
This joint memorial recognizes that Idaho faces ongoing water shortages due to declining aquifer levels, reduced snowpack, earlier runoff, and insufficient reservoir capacity. It states the Legislature’s commitment to a long-term goal of creating 750,000 acre-feet of new water storage by the year 2100 (“750k by 2100”). The memorial urges Congress and federal agencies to partner with Idaho to fast-track feasibility studies for modest reservoir raises, support planning for new storage projects, explore creative financing options, and complete an updated basin study to identify priority projects.
Sponsor: Rep. Fuhriman (R-30)
HJR10- State-owned lands- House State Affairs
The purpose of this Joint Resolution is to amend Article IX, Section 8 of the Idaho Constitution to establish an updated framework for managing state endowment and public lands. The amendment replaces the "maximum long-term financial return" mandate with expanded land management practices that prioritize ongoing revenue generation, including but not limited to timber sales, mining, and grazing, followed by public access for recreation, hunting, fishing, and trapping. The amendment continues to allow the sale or exchange of these lands while reducing pressure on the state to sell them solely because of their high value. This resolution preserves all existing options for timber, mining, and grazing, and remains fully compliant with the Idaho Admissions Act without altering the Land Board’s structure or the Endowment’s beneficiaries.
Sponsor: Rep. Raybold (R-34), Rep. Petzke (R-21)
HCR034- Bear Rive Compact – Passed the House (67-2-1) – Passed the Senate (Voice Vote)
This resolution asserts Idaho's water rights under the 1980 Amended Bear River Compact (ratified by Congress and signed by Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming), directs Idaho’s Bear River Commissioners to strictly enforce Bear Lake's irrigation reserve water elevation statutes, and urges investment in equipment to accurately measure and quantify Bear River water. It further directs the Idaho Water Resources Board to prepare reports on current Bear River water development and future needs, prioritize feasibility studies for new surface storage, off-stream storage, and aquifer recharge projects using Idaho’s compact allocation (without harming Bear Lake), allocate funds from the $30 million Water Management Account transfer for implementation, and consult legislative leadership before any agreements with power utilities or Utah/Wyoming regarding Bear River or Bear Lake management.
Sponsors: Rep. Moyle (R-10), Sen. Harris (R-35)
Senate Bills
S1222- Water, domestic use- Passed the Senate (29-0-6) – Passed the House (69-0)- Signed by the Governor 2/17/26 - Effective 2/17/26
Relating to domestic wells. Last year there was an amendment to this section of code; however, it requires further exceptions to include certain subdivisions.
Sponsor: Senator Anthon (R-27)
S1223- Water districts- Senate Resources and Environment Committee Relating to Water Districts. An update related to who is required to pay for updates. Currently it goes to all water users in that district, and this will update it to allow the water district to bill the user it affects directly.
Sponsor: TBD
S1238- Fish & Game, public comment- Senate Resources and Environment Committee
This legislation amends Idaho Code §36-105, to provide for a 30-day public comment period prior to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission adopting, repealing, or amending any season-setting proclamation.
Sponsor: Sen. Forman (R-6)
S1241- Protection of working animals- Passed the Senate (31-3-1) – Passed the House (67-0-3) – Signed by the Governor 3/23/26- Effective 7/1/26
This legislation establishes protections for the lawful use of working animals in commerce and service, preventing state or local governments from adopting more restrictive rules that would effectively prohibit such use. It defines “working animal,” excludes cockfighting and dogfighting, and includes an emergency clause for the law to take effect July 1, 2026.
Sponsor: Sen. Shippy (R-9)
S1326aaS - Property Rights, Protection – Passed the Senate (30-5-0) - Passed the House (65-3-2) - Signed by the Governor 3/31/26 - Effective 7/1/26
Requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant to enter private property. Creates both civil and criminal penalties. Adds exemptions for a few agriculture-related workers who are operating in their duty.
Sponsor: Sen. Harris (R-35)
S1413- Endowment land commercial leases- Senate State Affairs
This legislation extends the maximum term for certain commercial leases on Idaho state endowment lands from 49 to 99 years to improve project viability, attract development, and increase long-term revenue for public beneficiaries.
Sponsor: Sen. Bernt (R-21)
Senate Joint Memorials & Resolutions
SJM108- Grazing, depredation claims- Passed House (Voice Vote) – Passed Senate (Voice Vote) – Secretary of State
Grazing leases or permits on federal land are a valuable property right and can be critical to the success of Idaho ranchers. A rancher should not have their grazing lease or permit be adversely impacted because they submitted a depredation claim regarding their livestock. This Memorial calls upon the federal government to adopt rules to ensure that depredation claims cannot be used as a basis for modifying or revising a federal grazing permit or lease.
Sponsor: Sen. Lakey (R-23)
SJR103- Sent back to Senate Resources and Environment at Request of Sponsor
Protecting public lands in Idaho from permanent loss is of vital importance to the identity, culture, and livelihoods of Idahoans. This joint resolution proposes an amendment to Section 8, Article IX of the Idaho Constitution, distinguishing between state endowment lands granted for specific institutional purposes and public lands acquired from the federal government. The state Endowment will be unaffected, ensuring that the Endowment continues to generate revenue for its beneficiaries. Federally managed lands that may be endowed in the future will be placed in a separate, inviolable trust to be preserved for future generations, prohibiting the sale of these lands and allowing exchanges when approved by a two-third vote of the Legislature. These lands will be managed to balance and promote resource utilization, public recreation, scenic values, watershed quality, and wildlife habitat. Revenue from these lands will be applied to the Public Lands Trust Fund, dedicated first to operating and maintaining the land, then to compensating counties, enhancing public access, and supporting primary and secondary public education facilities.
Sponsors: Sen. Adams (R-12) Rep. Redman (R-3)
SJM111-Public Lands- Passed the Senate (voice vote) - Pass the House (voice vote) – Secretary of State
This Joint Memorial affirms the importance of Idaho’s public lands and access to them as central to the state’s identity and way of life, warning that selling or transferring these lands could restrict access and create financial burdens for taxpayers. It urges Idaho’s congressional delegation to oppose any efforts to sell or transfer public lands and to support legislation like the Public Lands in Public Hands Act.
Sponsor: Sen. Bernt (R-21)
SCR124 - Wildlife Crossing- Passed the Senate (voice vote) – Pass the House (voice vote) – Secretary of State
This resolution codifies the need for the Idaho Legislature, Idaho’s Congressional delegation, Idaho’s Governor and the Directors of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and Idaho Transportation Department to recognize and support the development and implementation of wildlife crossings as a means of improving public safety and the conservation of big game migration corridors. It is also the intention that the Idaho Legislature encourage state and local governments to engage with local stakeholders to develop policies that align with public safety, big game conservation, preserving and protecting the landscape, connectivity, and critical migration corridors that would serve as priority locations for wildlife crossings ultimately designed to benefit Idaho citizens and it’s abundant wildlife populations.
Sponsor: Rep. Bernt (R-21)