LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Week Eleven Idaho Legislative Update for March 23 – March 27, 2026
Time to talk about Week 11 of the 2026 Idaho Legislature. The problem is where to start? Budget writers, in their search for dollars in every nook and cranny, raided interest proceeds from the larger state accounts and clawed back funds dating to 2020. Policy committees continued hearing bills to regulate Kratom and – with pressure from the White House – cracking down on illegal immigration. The House killed the fiscal year 2027 budget for the Attorney General and passed a second version of the Health and Human Services budget and the Secretary of State budget enhancement, both of which included deeper cuts. While many budgets have received the green light, the Senate is holding a couple big money budgets the House is eager to debate. Senate leadership may also know they may not have the votes to pass those budgets right now, along with a handful of other policy bills.
In a word, the last five days have been “chaos.”
Adding to the fray is the legitimate drive to wrap up and go home for the year. At one point this week there was speculation the House would clock in on Saturday morning to finish business, a chronic with of Speaker Mike Moyle. Those rumors gave way to the House working through the lunch hour and into Friday afternoon before adjourning until Monday. The Senate, which simply has too much on the old to-do list, worked until noon Friday and will return Monday facing long floor sessions to catch up to the House.
There were also robust speculation in the halls of the capitol this week about a possible Wednesday end date. Though legislators are hesitant because it coincides with April Fool’s Day and the potential headlines that could come in the wake of such a consequential session.
In the rush to finish up, bills dealing with IT procurement overhauls, a last-minute fix for hunting rules governing advanced technology, and virtual schooling policies all swept through the building on the fast track to passage. There were also dozens of new bills introduced, many of which are in their third or fourth iterations in an effort to win favor. We’re still seeing a significant volume of bills that are flat out not ready for introduction winning privilege from chairmen who are at the same time blocking bills that have a viable chance of passing. It’s all quite bizarre.
The policy focus during the last few weeks has clearly been on illegal immigration. Proposed legislation dealing with immigration policy in the workforce, public schools, welfare benefits and efforts to expand the enforcement authority of local police and sheriffs have consumed countless hours of committee and floor debate. When it appeared all the illegal immigration bills were done for the session, the Trump Administration suggested in strong terms there was more work to be done.
On Wednesday, rumors swirled that White House political advisor Stephen Miller, the architect of President Trump’s national immigration policy, reached out directly to leadership and urged the Legislature revisit a bill that would require sheriffs to sign cooperation agreements with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Law enforcement groups and others persuaded lawmakers to hold the ICE agreement bill in committee, which at the time signaled end of discussion on the matter.
House and Senate leadership responded immediately, introducing more immigration related bills the next morning. These bills will move swiftly through committees and at this point are expected to pass unless something changes this weekend.
Before the session started, we pointed out how dealing with revenue declines, pending cuts and balancing the budget would consume most of the oxygen in the statehouse. Decisions made by the Joint Finance Appropriations
Committee this week provided a case in point. In a rare move, JFAC swept more than $130 million worth of accumulated interest from dedicated accounts across state government. The committee approved transfers from the Idaho Broadband Fund including interest and principle funds, the public school district building account interest, the permanent building fund interest, and others to help bolster the bottom line when FY26 ends on June 30. The budget committee also drained interest from an account dedicated to transportation funding to pay for road projects and wildfire fighting costs in FY27.
While this move is not unprecedented, it is unique, especially after lawmakers in January mocked Gov. Little’s proposed budget because it called for scraping interest from these accounts. Using cash transfers to balance budgets is tricky and potentially detrimental to those accounts and is ultimately nothing more than a temporary fix to a fundamental problem looming for lawmakers in 2027. It’s also worth noting that the Legislature opted not to touch its reserve “rainy-day fund,” which has amassed billions and is more than 24% of the state’s annual appropriations in any given year. Sitting on such a sizeable account is great for credit ratings and future borrowing, but it’s a continuation of an odd practice to grow the safety net while starving the base budget demands or things like pay increases for Idaho State Police, infrastructure projects and long-term and strategic projects.
Other significant developments from the week include:
The Senate passed Health and Welfare Budget 2.0. Two weeks after shooting down the first iteration of the session’s biggest budget, the Senate passed a version that included an additional $65 million in cuts to services and provider rates. The budget bill is now with the House.
The House rejected the FY27 budget built for the Office of the Attorney General. It’s clear some House members are uncomfortable with the AG’s idea of pulling more than $900,000 from the office’s Consumer Protection fund. Money in that account is intended to pay for consumer protection programs, with any unused money at year end going to the state General Fund.
Speaking of spiked budgets, lawmakers frustrated with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game rejected the agency’s enhancement budget. Legislators on both sides of the Rotunda have expressed dismay with the way the agency has handled rules and other policies in recent years.
Senators in the Education Committee rejected a last-ditch attempt to fix a bill that cuts $13 million from the Idaho Digital Learning Academy, which is used by thousands of students across the state each year. Earlier this week, JFAC approved a budget for IDLA that matched the funding cut setting the stage for another budget battle next week.
The big takeaway from all that transpired in Week 11 is that the end is in sight. Unless something drastic occurs, there are just a handful of days remaining. The short shelf life, however, is not a reason for us to take eyes off the action. We are still advocating for good policy and budgets and working to fix or kill bad legislation or spending decisions that don’t make sense to the needs and objectives of our clients.
As always, don’t hesitate to call 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) - 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 CommitteeThe 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) - To the Governor.
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) – Senate Resources
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) – Senate Floor
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) – Senate Floor
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- To the Governor
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- State trust lands- Senate State Affairs
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)