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S 1271 Idaho Senate · 68th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session (2026)

RATS – Adds to existing law to declare certain rats a public health and safety nuisance and to require abatement.

This bill declares Norway rats and roof rats a public health and safety nuisance in Idaho, requiring the Department of Agriculture to coordinate with counties and local agencies to address their spread. It creates a system where residents can report rat sightings to the department, which will compile data to develop a public abatement plan. The plan must detail rat locations, necessary actions, reporting methods, and prevention tips, and be updated every three years. This directly affects Idaho residents - especially in urban areas - and local governments responsible for pest control, shifting focus to coordinated reporting and education rather than individual action.
Bill status failed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Failed
Mar 2026
Governor
Introduced Feb 10, 2026 Last action Mar 17, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill Text → Engrossment 1 · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to shift from a mandate requiring immediate rat abatement to a phased approach requiring the Department of Agriculture to first assess the extent of the problem. The new version removes the strict deadline for a plan, eliminates the requirement for local governments to pay for abatement, and adds a requirement to present the plan to legislative committees for review.
Scope change
The bill's scope changed from an immediate enforcement order to a study and planning phase. It now explicitly allows for the possibility that local funds may not be required, whereas the original text implied mandatory local participation.
REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for the Director to execute abatement provisions 'as expeditiously as possible' and replaced it with a duty to first coordinate efforts and develop a plan to determine the extent and scope of the rat problem.

Added a new requirement for the Director to present the abatement plan to specific legislative committees (Agricultural Affairs, Finance, and Natural Resources) for review.

TIMELINE

Deleted the specific deadline of November 1, 2026, for developing and implementing an abatement plan.

FISCAL

Changed the requirement for cooperating entities (like counties) from mandatory participation to voluntary availability, subject to available personnel, equipment, and funding.

ENFORCEMENT

Replaced the directive to 'summarily abate' rats with a focus on creating a plan that describes actions taken and planned future actions to address the rats.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 5, 2026 · House Mar 17, 2026

How they voted

29–3
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 36
Mar 5, 2026
D Democratic6
5 Yea 1
83% Yea
R Republican30
24 Yea 3 Nay 3
80% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
5
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Mar 17, 2026
Vote failed
House Vote: fail (30-35)
house
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time in full as amended – PASSED - 28-3-4AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke(Bjerke), Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Foreman, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Keyser, Lakey, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Taylor, Toews, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, WintrowNAYS – Kohl, Zito, ZuiderveldAbsent and excused – Den Hartog, Rabe, Shippy, WoodwardFloor Sponsor - NicholsTitle apvd - to House
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Introduced
Amendments reported printed
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Committee
Amendments ordered printed; referred for engrossment
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported out without recommendation, as amended
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
Placed in the Committee of the Whole
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported out of committee; to 14th Order for amendment
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Committee
Reported Printed; referred to Agricultural Affairs
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Introduced
Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.