LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Week Nine Idaho Legislative Update for March 9 – March 13, 2026
The ninth week of the 2026 Idaho Legislature is in the rearview mirror. We’ll get to some of the highlights from the last week, but for now, we’re already gazing into next week and the process of getting the 10 major budget bills through the House and Senate. More than anything this year, delivering these spending bills to the Governor’s desk will determine when lawmakers can shut things down and get back home for the campaign season.
The process started late this week as the House and Senate approved a handful of agency maintenance budgets. However, the Senate suffered a setback Thursday when it voted down the $5,7 billion Health and Human Services Programs maintenance budget, by far the biggest in spending package in state government. How much the bill will be adjusted by JFAC remains to be seen, but we expect the committee to act swiftly next week and for the House and Senate to take action on this and the other budget packages next week.
Budget bills have always been a harbinger of the end of session. But they are stealing the show this year because there is no other significant “go home” legislation up for consideration at this point. In previous years, policy clashes over transportation funding, the Idaho School Choice Tax Credit, Idaho Lauch scholarships, tax cuts, or other big-ticket bills have dictated the timing for Sine Die. But the Governor’s “Enduring Idaho Values” agenda signaled early on that the focus would be on balancing the books.
Now, let’s explore some of the highlights from week 9:
The House approved a bill that cuts $22 million from a Medicaid disabilities service program, matching the Medicaid reduction target set by Gov. Little.
Taking a cue from last year’s DOGE Task Force, JFAC set in motion the process of combining the Office of Species Conservation and the Office of Energy and Minerals Resources. The merger is intended to save money and increase efficiency in the two agencies. Additionally, a bill was introduced today seeking to move the State Historical Preservation Office into the newly formed and funded entity.
The House Health and Welfare Committee approved a bill that would repeal Medicaid Expansion, which was approved by voters in 2018 and serves more than 90,000 Idahoans. The program has long been in the crosshairs of the Legislature due to ballooning costs. It’s unclear if the repeal will get through the Senate this late in the game but we anticipate a lengthy debate on the House floor next week.
The Senate passed a resolution urging the Department of Education to study a complete overhaul of the public school funding formula that has been in place since 1994.
Now, how about a development that we have been tracking the last few years. Once again, lawmakers have set a new record for the number of bills, resolutions and joint memorials introduced in a single session. And the flow of new legislation is showing no sign of slowdown. At the start of business this week, a total of 516 bills had been introduced in both chambers, topping the previous mark of 488 bill introductions in 2024. Another 300 bills have been prepared but not introduced. So far, 64 proclamations, resolutions and memorials have been introduced, beating the record of 57 set last year. This output is a testament to the influence and process changes we have seen with the new, and more conservative, legislators pushing ideas from think tanks and other states. It’s also a function of legislators introducing bills without talking with stakeholders, which leads to flaws with language and intent that then require multiple rewrites before being ready for committee review.
Finally, on behalf of the BB&A team, we want to say “thank you” to all of our clients, the legislature, their staff, the agencies and their staff, and the many folks we see and work with this time of year. State legislative policy is often messy and contentious, and at times it’s easy to get disappointed by the process. And yet, Idaho remains unique and special because we have unfettered access to elected officials and agency staff, people who always impress with their professional and polite approach to doing their job. It’s a privilege and we don’t take it for granted.
We also appreciate your patience and understanding during the last nine weeks. It’s been a challenging and grueling process for our team, but we wouldn’t want it any other way. We thrive in this pressure-cooker environment and continue to work hard on your behalf. While the end may be in sight, there is still time to get things done. That’s our goal to the end. With that in mind, don’t hesitate to connect with us if you have questions or concerns.
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)
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) – Senate Agricultural Affairs
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)
H0678- Passed the House (67-0-3) -Senate Floor
This legislation is to allow wolf trappers to inspect their trap remotely with transmitting cameras.
Sponsor: Rep. Shepherd (R-7)
House Joint Memorials & Resolutions
HJM 009 – 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)
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)
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-enate 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) – House Agricultural Affairs
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)
S1326 - Property Rights, Protection – Passed the Senate (30-5-0) - Held at the desk
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)
Senate Joint Memorials & Resolutions
SJM108- Grazing, depredation claims- Passed House (Voice Vote) – Passed Senate (Voice Vote) – Delivered to Secretary of State 2/17/26
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- State trust lands- Senate Floor
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) - To the House
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) – House Resources
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)